Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

Did you know that during the 1700s and early 1800s, many German immigrants, especially farmers, settled in Pennsylvania. They contributed a wide variety of distinctive foods, such as sauerkraut, rye bread, apple butter, and pretzels.

This recipe shows you how to make those big, warm, soft pretzels that are sold on the streets in Philadelphia. Sure to be a favorite snack for your kids!

PENNSYLVANIA Soft Pretzels

What You Will Need:

• 2 packages Active Dry Yeast


• 1-1/2 cups Warm Water


• 2 tablespoons Sugar


• 1 tablespoon Salt


• 2 cups Whole Wheat Flour


• 1-3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour


• 1 teaspoon Olive Oil


• 1 large Egg, beaten


• Sesame Seeds (optional)


• Large Mixing Bowl


• Medium Mixing Bowl

What You Do:

• In a large bowl, combine yeast and warm water.


• Add sugar and salt to the yeast mixture, and stir well.


• Add the flours to the bowl 1 cup at a time, mixing by hand until the mixture forms into a dough.


• Place the dough onto a lightly floured pastry board or clean countertop and knead the dough until smooth. Kids love this step! Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it has a slight sheen.


• Brush the inside of the medium sized bowl with olive oil, then transfer the dough to the bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towl and let it stand and rise for about 40 minutes. Wait until your kids see this in action! They’ll love it!


• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.


• Divide the dough into pieces and roll it into ropes that are about 12 inches long. Another favorite step for kids!


• Form the rolled out dough into pretzel-shapes, then place on an ungreased cookie sheet.


• Brush each pretzel with egg and then sprinkle with sesame seeds or salt.


• Bake the pretzels for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.


• Remove from oven, serve and enjoy!

Variations:

• If you prefer crispy pretzels, roll the dough into thinner strips before forming into pretzel shapes.


• Before baking the pretzels, you may wish to boil them in water for 2 minutes on each side. Once the pretzels are boiled, place them on a rack to drain for about a minute. After draining, place the pretzels on a cookie sheet and bake.


• Add cinnamon or other flavors in place of sesame seeds. Don’t be afraid to experiment!


• Be creative with your pretzel shapes! Form letters, funny faces, or any other shape you like!

Pennsylvania State Information – Click this link to learn more about Pennsylvania attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

Pennsylvania Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

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