09 Sep The Most Outrageous Food at the Maryland Renn Fest
For the past 30-some years, minstrels-in training, ladies, lasses and squires, beggars, wenches, knaves and even kings have been conveying on a 27 acre bit of forested land in Crownsville, Maryland each fall. No, it’s not a time machine. It’s the Maryland Renaissance Festival!
Here, people come to step back in time, to partake in historical merriment and participate in a rowdy glimpse of the past. People also come for the food. While perhaps not a historical representation of the food available Ye Olde Middle Ages, the Maryland Renn Fest’s food (many of which is playfully served “on a stake”) is all part of the experience.
Hear ye, hear ye! I hereby proclaim that these decadent morsels are my favorite, most outrageous not-to-be-missed items that you, too, can snack on at the Maryland Renaissance Festival.
Mac and Cheese… on a stick!
This salty, cheesy, creamy, crispy triangles of fried awesomeness on a skewer are a probably one of the best festival-food inventions of my lifetime. It is… amazing.
If I was anywhere else, a Scotch Egg — a hard boiled egg wrapped in sausage and deep fried — would be a little bizarre. But somehow, it seems like a fitting snack when surrounded by people in medieval costume.
Crownsville is less than 10 miles from Annapolis, which means fresh seafood can be found amongst of the Festival’s fried food. Head to O’Shuck’s Pub for steamed shrimp and — my favorite — raw oyster shooters.
My uncle Mike takes a bite out of Steak on a Stake, a Renn Fest classic.
Libations are essential to washing all this salty, fried food down. Pubs, taverns and inns abound throughout the festival grounds selling Sam Adams brews, ciders and local Maryland wines.
My cousin Annie found her favorite treat– Funnel Cake Fries! Yes, I like these way better than regular funnel cakes. Same doughy flavor, but so much easier to snack on.
This orange Italian Ice was tart and refreshing- and the best part? It was served on a half of a frozen orange.
Throughout the grounds, you constantly hear melodies of “Sweet Nuts! Please try my sweet nuts!” Yes, saucy. But these sweet nuts are actually really delicious. *blush*
Chocolate dipped cheesecake… on a stick. (Need I say more?)
Finally, I can’t write about Renaissance Festival food without covering the ultimate Renn Fest nosh… the TURKEY LEG.
Note the man behind me…
…he wanted to join in the turkey leg photo-taking fun.
So, after a day of eating festival food, I admit… I’m ready to eat salads for a week. But what say you? FESTIVAL FOOD… UTTERLY DELICIOUS OR KINDA OVER THE TOP?
Laura @Travelocafe
Posted at 03:14h, 10 SeptemberWhat a great way and place to enjoy food!
Melissa
Posted at 17:31h, 10 SeptemberI love a good Renn Fest! I’ve been to one in Deerfield Beach, FL, several times. Many turkey legs to be had. One year there was a kilt modeling contest that got a little … well … let’s just say that these men were wearing their kilts and not much else.