Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeFriday, Aug. 22, 2008
Veggin' it at the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo
Ingrid Stegemoeller, Herald staff writer
Italian sausage links. Hand-dipped corn dogs. Barbecue pork sandwiches.
As I wandered into the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo on Thursday afternoon, the signs and smells for all foods meaty left me feeling a little nervous about satisfying my vegetarian appetite -- and my assignment for writing about it.
But before I let the copious hot dog, hamburger and barbecue stands get me down, the brisk breeze blew sweet scents my way.
"Ahhh," I said to myself. "Elephant ears."
If nothing else, I knew I could feast on the giant cinnamon-sugary, deep-fried -- in vegetable oil, thankfully -- delights.
I began my quest for vegetarian- and vegan-friendly fare at an unlikely spot: Piggly's BBQ and Grill.
Standing at the grill was Craig Sawyers, who wasn't phased by my question.
"Grilled onion, bell pepper and tomato on a bun," and "deep fried zucchini, onion rings and potatoes," he offered. "When they do come up and say they're vegetarian, that's what we have to offer."
Plus, Sawyers will grill veggies specially for those who are looking for more low-fat fare, though only a handful of people generally make such requests, he said.
Feeling pleased with my first discovery, I was emboldened to try another barbecue vendor.
At Tastin' Texas BBQ, owner Leo Samsa served up 16-ounce baked potatoes with butter, sour cream, cheese and as many chives and soy-bacon bits as you could want.
Vegans -- those who eat no animal products at all, including dairy -- easily could fill their tummies with one of Samsa's potatoes minus the dairy fixings.
"You can get it any which way you like," said Taylore McAnally, Samsa's nephew.
About a half-hour of wandering later, I'd seen most of the food court, and my own stomach reminded me it wanted food.
So I stopped at a stand boasting Southern-style hot roasted corn on the cob.
There I met Larry Smith, 54, of Pasco. Though he's definitely not a vegetarian -- barbecue is his favorite fair food -- he just can't pass up roasted corn.
"It's just good," he said as he bit into the corn.
Four dollars later I took my first bite. Without the "liquid butter alternative" (which doesn't contain animal products), I enjoyed the sweet, yellow kernels topped with some salt and pepper.
The best vegetarian find came near the end of my journey around the food court: Beaver State Burritos.
I looked at the menu and saw no meat in sight. Was I reading it correctly?
"We've been vegetarian for 25 years, before that was even trendy," said Nick O'Neill, who was working at the stand.
"Meat is difficult to prepare," he said. "Beans and rice is good. It's a complete protein."
Do people notice their burritos don't have meat in them?
"We always have people who ask where the meat is," O'Neill said. "But people are responsive. They don't miss the meat."
In fact, the couple in line behind me were surprised when they overheard talk of the meatless burritos.
I paid $7 and watched as the workers slathered rice and beans on my tortilla, then customized it with a small handful of cheese, onions, salsa and olives.
"Is it good?" O'Neill asked.
My mouth full of food, I gave him an enthusiastic thumbs up.
A few other stands caught my eye, including Azars, which was making its debut at the Benton-Franklin Fair and serving Mediterranean food.
Karim Azar said the hummus plate is a good vegetarian option, which includes the chickpea-based dip with pita bread, tomato and cucumber, for $7.
Pleased with my delicious, meat-free and mostly healthy finds, I finished up my time at the food court with a small hand-squeezed lemonade.
And, because I was at the fair, I couldn't resist a delectably greasy, sugary, but still vegetarian elephant ear from the friendly folks at the Pasco-Kennewick Rotary Club.
Yum.
@Nyx.CommentBody@