NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee could soon have an official state food in the form of hot slaw.
A bill put forth by Rep. Kevin Raper (R-Cleveland) would classify hot slaw as an official state food, honoring his district with their signature dish.
According to Raper, hot slaw is an alternative to coleslaw. It is more vinegary and mustardy, with hot peppers added in. Hot slaw can be added onto hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, or even pinto beans.
“Every single grocery store in Cleveland has it, and then some restaurants do in Cleveland,” he said.
If you’re familiar with the southern relish chow-chow, Raper said it’s something very similar, though hot slaw is an icon unto itself.
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“It just has a unique flavor of its own, and it is so good,” he said.
What hot slaw is not, however, is simply heated up coleslaw. Instead, the “hot” from hot slaw comes from the peppers added into it. And how hot the slaw is depends entirely on your own preference, Raper said.