Iowa Lottery sponsored this post. All opinions are entirely my own.
Iowa is a beautiful state to explore, especially during the summer. It’s not too hot, and there are many unique towns for an Adventure. Whether you’re near Des Mones, Dubuque, Central Iowa, The Quad Cities, or exploring small towns, there are many ways to get outdoors this summer and explore this great state. While exploring Iowa outdoors this summer, take along an Iowa Bistro Box featuring local foods from our great state!
To some, Iowa may seem like a flyover state. However, those who live here understand how exceptional and beautiful it is. There are so many wonderful hidden gems to visit in our state, from the Mississippi River to the 83 Iowa State Parks, to the Iowa State Fair and many beautiful rolling hills in the driftless area. There’s plenty of fun right here. I am teaming up with the #Iowalottery to share a few of my favorite Iowa Foods you should pack in your cooler when you’re out adventuring in our state this summer!
This summer, Iowa Lottery’s theme for their summer scratch-off ticket is to ” Think outside and explore the great state of Iowa” Iowans can win up to $50,000 with the Explore Iowa ticket or Play It Again for your chance to win cash or a Polaris vehicle.
By partnering with Polaris to award their recreational vehicles to our winners, “Explore Iowa” is a pulsed game with three different Polaris recreational vehicles – RZR, Slingshot, and Snowmobile and an Iowa landscape with different seasons that will be given away as a prize.
Where do you purchase Iowa Lottery Tickets?
Check out the Iowa Lottery Website to find a retailer near you! Please remember to download the Iowa lottery app on your phone, so you can tell for sure if you’ve won!
For more information on this promotion or Iowa Lottery, visit their website or social media. You can find them on:
A few of my favorite outdoor places in Iowa are:
Eagle Point Park in Dubuque
Lake McBride is just north of Iowa City
The Field of Dreams in Dyersville
Maquoketa State Park
Mines of Spain in Dubuque
Hartman Nature Reserve Center in Cedar Falls
Pikes Peak in Mcgregor
We love packing lunch and heading out on the weekend! Here is an Iowa-themed lunch to bring with you on your day trips!
Iowa Bistro Box
Sweet Corn
Sweet Corn is an essential commercial crop in the state of Iowa.
Hard-Boiled Egg
Iowa is the number 1 egg-producing state in the country! with 1 out of every five eggs being produced on Iowa Farms!
Iowa Ham Ball
Every church cookbook in Iowa has its recipe for Iowa Ham balls. It’s ground pork, ground ham, and crackers cooked together in a sweet tomato ( soup) sauce. Please don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Ham Balls are a little slice of heaven. You can purchase them at many local grocery stores if you don’t know how to make them.
Scotcheroos
Scotcheroos are a rice Krispie dessert bar with butterscotch, peanut butter, and a chocolate topping. They are a tradition in Iowa. Many families have adapted their version of a scotcheroo. You can also get them at most grocery store bakeries.
Lettuce Salad with Ranch Dressing
In Iowa, it is common to have a backyard garden during the summer. I included some garden lettuce with Iowa’s favorite salad dressing, ranch.
Blue Cheese
Some of the best blue cheese is made right here in Iowa!
A few other “Iowa” Themed Recipes
Iowa State Fair Hot Beef Sundaes
Slow Cooker Pork Chop Sandwiches
Don’t forget to check out these $5.00 scratch-off tickets and win this summer! Also, don’t forget to check out the Iowa lottery on social media for additional promotions!
Disclaimer: Iowa Lottery players must be 21 years or older. Nonwinning $5 scratch tickets in Explore Iowa Game are eligible for entry in the promotion from May 3 through Sept. 13, 2022. Polaris is a licensed product.
