I Definitely Dug Dig-IN

If the Penrod Arts Fair is Indiana’s Nicest Day, then Dig-IN is definitely Indiana’s Tastiest Day.

This year’s Dig-IN took place yesterday at the White River State Park in Indianapolis. Tickets were $20 in advance and $30 at the door, though I received two complimentary tickets so I could review the event for this blog.

There was never a better day to showcase the gorgeous setting of the park. Nice breeze, moderate temps, bright sun. It was the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of Indiana food and drink.

More than two dozen dishes from farms and chefs around the state were available for tasting.  The dishes were complemented by 19 Indiana wineries and brewers.

Here’s a small sample of what was on hand:

Dig-IN is not a competition. However, my friend and I did “award” a few recognitions to some of the dishes we tried.

Most crock-pot worthy dish:  Indiana Artisan Coe’s Homemade Noodles (Lynn) – Beef and noodles

Best vegetarian dish: IUPUI Food Service (Indianapolis) – Spaghetti squash with homemade ricotta

Best use of goat cheese: Indiana Downs (Shelbyville) – Indiana bacon ham, goat cheese and peach chutney on crostini

Best sandwich: Chef J.J.’s Back Yard (Indianapolis) – Watermelon peach smoked bison with spicy house pickles

Best cold dessert: Circle City Sweets (Indianapolis) – Indiana peach and franngiane tart

Best warm dessert: Keltie’s Restaurant (Westfield) – Bread pudding with caramel sauce

Most acquired taste: Fermenti Artisan (Indianapolis) – Homemade heritage breed bacon with fermented root relish and Capriole Farms goat cheese

Best institutional representation: Butler University (Indianapolis) – Hoosier blueberry shortcake

Biggest “I didn’t know this could taste so good” food: Indiana Artisan 240Sweet (Columbus) – Gourmet marshmallows. My friend Amy said the salted caramel variety tasted like “caramel corn meets toasted marshmallow.” She was right.

Most delicious overall: Restaurant Tallent (Bloomington) – Gunthorp Farms pork tacos with fixin’s, which I think were sweet corn salsa, jalapeno and tomatillo sauce, and red cabbage slaw.

Food I wish I had brought home with me to nibble on while blogging: Just Rennie’s Cookie Co. (Evansville) – Peanut butter chocolate chunk cookie

The worst part about Dig-IN? Having to wait a whole year until it comes back!