The Dutch oven was designated the state cooking pot of Utah in 1997. Like the ax and rifle, the Dutch oven was a basic necessity for early American settlers. These cast iron pots were among the most cherished possessions of explorers, mountain men, settlers going west, and the cattle drive cowboys. Chuck wagon cooks used two or three Dutch ovens when preparing chow.

Dutch ovens are used for baking, roasting, boiling, braising, frying, simmering, steaming, and other campfire cooking methods to make dishes such as biscuits, cornbread, appetizers, entrees and desserts. Modern campers are still using the durable and flexible Dutch oven and cooking contests are popular in many places (the Dutch oven is also the official state cooking vessel of Arkansas).

Americans still gather around campfires after a meal from the same kind of Dutch ovens used by our pioneer forbears and tell stories of our history and ancestors.

Source:

Utah Symbols - Dutch Oven: Utah's Online Library
Dutch Oven Cooking: Arkansas News Bureau

Links:

Cultural Symbols - 50 states
American Food and Agricultural Symbols
American Food Holidays