In a Twist About Tailgate Treats? Try These!

I've been going to K-State football games since I was in elementary school. I've known the words to the K-State alma mater since I was about 10. I could probably say the words to the pre-game Ceremony of Allegiance right along with the stadium announcer.

While "Eat 'em up! Eat 'em up! K-S-U!" has been part of my game day experience for decades, eating at tailgates has not.

 

We didn't have to arrive early at the stadium when I was a college student in the 1970s. There were plenty of seats. We hiked from the Derby dorm complex and could spread out once we got through the gates. We certainly weren't elbow to elbow, packed into the stands. As the daughter of a true sports fanatic, I grew up staying to the end of ballgames, no matter what. Things like that tend to stick, and I always stayed to the bitter end. And it usually was bitter: Back in the '70s, it was a rarity to win a football game.

Tailgating definitely wasn't a "thing" back in the '70s. My, how times have changed! Now the parking lots at Bill Snyder Family Stadium are filled with tailgaters galore.

When did tailgating begin? I turned to the American Tailgaters Association for the answer:

One of the first tailgating events was first documented during the Civil War, although participants, in all likelihood, were not sharing recipes or playing a friendly game of horseshoes. The event took place in 1861 at the Battle of Bull Run. At the battle’s start, civilians from the Union side arrived with baskets of food and shouting, “Go Big Blue!” their efforts were a form of support and were to help encourage their side to win the commencing battle.

Although this event was a far cry from tailgates today, this is one of the first historical events of passersby cheering on an event. This day also is important in that it documents food being used to celebrate a specific event. Many historians believe that, despite the civilians’ enthusiasm, even for the time, cheering on a war wasn’t exactly considered kosher … or safe. But, despite the dangers that these “fans” may have endured, the rituals they displayed have a direct correlation to the tailgating that is practiced today.

My Wildcats will be doing battle Saturday against Louisiana Tech. If you have a tailgate to go to, these White Chocolate Cinnamon Pretzels will give you the win. I, of course, dressed mine up with white and purple candy melts.

But you can use any color to cheer on your favorite college or high school team. For some, I drizzled the candy coating in careful zigzags. But after awhile, I decided just to stir the candy into the cooled pretzels. They weren't quite as pretty. But it sure took less time. It's up to you: Go for the fanfare or go for the grit. I guess it's not so different on the football field.

White Chocolate Cinnamon Pretzels

Adapted from Your Cup of Cake

1 bag of checkerboard-style pretzels (16-18 oz.)
2/3 cup oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Additional 1/2 cup cinnamon-sugar for sprinkling
1 cup white chocolate chips (or colored candy melts)

Whisk together oil, sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Pour pretzels into a microwave-safe bowl. Pour oil mixture over the pretzels. Stir until well-coated.

Microwave 1 minute; remove and stir. Microwave 45 minutes more. Remove from microwave.

Spread pretzels evenly onto two cookie sheets covered in parchment paper. While still warm, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Melt white chocolate or candy melts over a double boiler (or use the microwave, taking care not to burn). Drizzle over cooled pretzels. Store in airtight container.

Note:  For some of the pretzels, I used a decorator tube and made zigzags over the pretzels. But, I decided that was too much work. So, for the rest, I poured the candy/chocolate over the pretzels and lightly tossed. It worked fine, though you don't have the distinctive pattern with that method. It still tasted good! (See photo below for the more random method of dispersing the candy/chocolate.)

This recipe is great for tailgates because you can use candy melts in the colors of your favorite high school or college team.

For more tailgating recipes, check out this link from the K-State Alumni Association.

For more tailgating snacks from Kim's County Line, click on this link for more K-State themed ideas and here for our experience at a University of South Carolina game, while Brent was in school there. The SEC has another way to tailgate!

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Today, I'm linked to Weekend Potluck. Check out Sunflower Supper Club's recipe for Apple Scones with Maple Glaze and other tasty-looking recipes!  Thanks to these hostesses of the potluck:

• The Country Cook~ Brandie
• Sunflower Supper Club ~ Kim & Julie
• The Better Baker ~ Marsha
• Frugal Family Favorites ~ Tabitha
• Sweet Little Bluebird~ Mary