5 Foods That Massachusetts Does Best
Boston is known for a lot of things, including being home to the Boston Tea Party, Fenway Park, and the Boston Marathon. Of course, the people of Boston are also well-known around the world as some of the most unique in the United States. The city has its own distinct accent with a certain type of attitude, and Boston is also home to some unique cuisine.
Even outside of the capital, there are some foods that just scream “Massachusetts.” Whether you’re in Boston or elsewhere within the state, there are a few dishes you need to try so that you get the full Massachusetts experience. With a lot to pick from, it’s hard to narrow it down to just five, but these ones take the cake.
Boston Baked Beans
When it comes to beans, Boston does them best. Why else would they call it Bean Town? The appropriately named dish, Boston Baked Beans is a New England classic. The origins date back to the Native Americans before America was colonized by the pilgrims. They baked molasses-sweetened beans in clay pots, a method still used to this day by the people of Boston. What makes these beans so special? Besides the classic bean pot they’re baked in, Boston Baked Beans are combined with rich flavors like aromatic vegetables, fragrant herbs, salted pork/slab bacon, and dark molasses.
Lobster Rolls
Lobster rolls are another New England classic and a mouth-watering specialty of restaurants all along the coast. Nothing says summertime like fresh, rich, and decadent lobster meat on a buttery toasted roll. Lobsters are abundant off the northern east coast and find their way into plenty of local dishes. Lobster rolls are an easy-to-eat, less pretentious way to enjoy the treat. The recipe for a good lobster roll is typically simple, flavorful, and full of fresh lobster without too much filler. Just mix some butter, mayo, lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper, and fresh herbs together with delicious lobster meat and pile it atop a crunchy and pillowy grilled roll. Coo
Lobster Tails
I know what you’re thinking. Lobster again? Although it’s in the name, it doesn’t have an ounce of lobster anywhere in this dish at all. Famously baked by Mike’s Pastry in Boston, the Lobster Tail is actually a scrumptious pastry. They’re made with a cream puff dough baked inside a Sfogliatella Shell, which is then filled to the brim with three decadent creams, Italian boiled cream, whipped cream, and fresh ricotta cheese. It’s all topped off with a light dusting of powdered sugar. They’re a classic throughout Bean Town and truly hit the spot.
Clam Chowder
Clam Chowder is quintessential New England fare and Boston does it best. The wide variety of seafood restaurants within the busy city leaves you with endless options to enjoy this creamy seafood chowder. It’s made with fresh clams, preferably quahog or cherrystone, slab bacon, butter, potatoes, cream, salt and pepper, aromatic vegetables, and herbs. Served with a healthy portion of oyster crackers. There are tomato-based variations of clam chowder in other parts of the country, but Bostonians prefer theirs creamy and comforting.
Boston Creme Pie
Last, but not least, the aptly named Boston Creme Pie. This pie is not a pie at all. It’s a cake with a delightful combination of flavors and textures. You’ll find the classic cake throughout various bakeries in Boston, like the previously mentioned joint, Mike’s Pastry. To make the dessert you bake off two moist sponge cakes, with plenty of freshly made pastry cream sandwiched in between the two cakes, and rich chocolate poured over the top layer of cake. The cake, which originated in Boston’s Omni Parker House, is and will always be seen as a top-tier dessert amongst New Englanders.
