The Northeastern region of the United States, often referred to as “New England,” consists of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Most of these states border the Atlantic Ocean on their eastern coasts. When you picture the foods eaten in the New England states, the simple and hearty foods eaten by early colonists probably come to mind. Many of the same foods of hundreds of years ago continue to be grown and produced, including cranberries in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, dairy and sheep farming (especially in Vermont), and maple syrup throughout forested areas.
However, 200 years of immigrants migrating to the region have introduced a variety of international foods into New England’s cuisine. In the countryside of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, Scottish and Welsh settlers’ descendents continue to bake scones (biscuit-like pastries) and oatmeal bread and grow a variety of vegetables. French Canadians introduced split pea soup and pork pies to the region, and Germans in central Massachusetts and Maine still make sauerkraut and a variety of sausages.
Each state in New England has its own unique foods that it contributes to the cuisine of the region as a whole. Connecticut adds milk, eggs, apples, pears, mushrooms, and beef. Its long coastline gives the state a successful fishing industry that includes clams, oysters, scallops, and a variety of fish. The world’s first lollipop was made in the city of New Haven in 1908. Maine is the country’s leading producer of blueberries and lobster (over 90 percent of U.S. lobsters are from Maine’s waters). More potatoes are grown in Aroostock County in Maine than in any other county in the country.
Massachusetts- the “Bay State” produces plenty of Cranberries (it is the country’s leading producer of the fruit). In addition, the first commercial yogurt was produced in the northeast city of Andover, and baked beans are Boston’s renowned dish. New Hampshire is dotted with dairy cows that produce large amounts of milk. Potatoes, apples, and the production of maple syrup are also popular. Seafood, poultry, eggs, and milk are most common in Rhode Island. Clams are its specialty, as demonstrated by its famous clambakes each year. Vermont’s maple syrup production (the largest of any state) is nationally recognized. Dairy products and apples are also produced on the state’s abundance of farms. The popular Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was first made in the city of Burlington.
As a whole, New Englanders are best known for the wide variety of seafood the North Atlantic Ocean has to offer. New England Clam Chowder and Maine lobster are two popular seafood dishes. Seasonal fruits such as apples, pumpkins, and a variety of berries are often included in meals, particularly as ingredients in fruit pies (which may be served for dessert along with puddings and milkshakes called frappes). The boiled dinner, a one-dish meal of boiled beef, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, is a New England original. After a large meal, tea (an influence from the British), coffee, or a New England wine or beer may be served.
