Haystack

Haystack is an American dish that is especially popular with the Mennonites, the Latter-Day Saints, and the Seventh-Day Adventists. It consists of a starchy base such as tortilla chips or saltine crackers, topped by beans, cheese, or meat, and additionally combined with vegetables such as tomatoes, lettuce, or bell peppers. The dish is traditionally garnished with condiments such as salsa, ketchup, guacamole, or sour cream. Interestingly, all of the ingredients are served individually and combined on the plate by the consumer. It is believed that haystack was invented by Ella May Hartlein in the 1950s, when the dish was known as Hartlein Special.