What defines American food? In a compelling examination of the connection between American cultures and the foods they create, Museum on Main Street, a project of the Smithsonian Institution, has put together a collaborative online cookbook featuring recipes and personal anecdotes from across the country for their exhibition, Key Ingredients. The recipe database, searchable by type of food, story, heritage, or region, includes everything from Iowa Fried Pheasant or Squirrel to Armenian Eggplant. The site also provides recommendations for local food events and traditions by region.

The physical exhibition, which will have visited over 200 venues across the country by 2013, is currently in Woodbine, New Jersey; Vancouver, Washington; Elloree, South Carolina; Vienna, Georgia; and Honolulu, Hawaii. [via The Village Voice]