Rhode Island, the Ocean State, purveyor of "cotton milk", what?  I tell the truth.  During a trip to RI years ago I overheard someone mention going out to purchase cotton milk.  I struggled to imagine what that could be, drum roll please... carton milk.  The accent of some Rhodies is stronger than others.  Have you met Lauren Otta?  Try the hit TV show, "Law and Order".  Enough about the accent.  Let's talk about the delicious Rhode Island clam chowder.  The RI chowder is unique in that the broth is a clear one, no milk or cream base; and chock full of the local clam, the quahog, a Narragansett Indian word.  A typical local pairing served at Point Judith's Aunt Carrie's Seafood Restaurant would be a bowl of RI chowder with a clam cake, a deep fried ball of batter full of chopped clams, served with a glass of  Cranston's Del's Frozen Lemonade.

Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, offers much to the gourmet.  Travel to historic Federal Hill to savor exquisite cuisine from one of many restaurants, or shop at Venda Ravioli, a renovated Italian food market, pasticceria, expresso bar, and geletaria.  Rhode Island has a higher percentage of Americans of Portuguese ancestry than any other state in the nation, linguica and chourico sausage, for example, are common ingredients on even the most mundane diner menus.  Ranked 50th in size of all states, but don't let size fool you.  Rhode Island's culinary offerings are many and diverse.

For more information about Rhode Island's cooking classes, food festivals, or food tours browse DestinationFood's web pages or visit a RI tourism site.