Famous Food from Massachusetts

Guest Post by Sherry Brubaker

Massachusetts, also known as the Commonwealth, is one of the 13 original colonies. There are many towns that are rich in history and the center of pilot moments in American history. Numerous historical routes, battlefields, and colonial homes line the streets of Massachusetts. In addition, you will find rolling hills, mountains, coastline, farmland, and big cities all packed into 10,565 mighty miles. There is also some pretty famous food from Massachusetts. But before we get to the food, let's take a look at a few of Massachusett's most historic cities.

Three Historic Cities

Plymouth

Plymouth is home to the Plymouth rock. Many believe that this is where the Pilgrim's feet first touched American soil in 1620. Old colonial homes line the streets of Plymouth. One such home is the Halow Old Fort House. Built in 1677, this home used the original timbers from the Pilgrim’s first fort on Burial Hill.

Salem

Salem, known for the Salem witch trials, has become the embodiment of Halloween. Each year as the leaves change and the crisp fall air carries the scent of autumn, people gather in the ages-old cemeteries and historic colonial homes like The Witch House. This home belonged to Jonathan Corwin. Corwin is the judge responsible for sending 19 people to the gallows with the conviction of witchcraft.

Boston

Boston’s brick and cobble street roads mark the very route that Paul Revere rode his horse through to warn the people of the British invasion. Additionally, the Granary Burial Ground is located right in the heart of Boston. This graveyard houses Paul Revere's grave, and also the graves of Boston Massacre victims, and 3 Declaration of Independence founding fathers (Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Robert Treat Paine).

New England Clam Chowder

New England clam chowder is a hearty, warming soup that contains clams and a creamy broth. Food historians believe that French or Nova Scotia settlers introduced this chowder to America in the 18th century. Clam chowder recipes include clams, potatoes, and a creamy clam-based broth.

Oyster crackers usually accompany clam chowder. Tossed on top of the soup, they add a salty crunchiness. Saltine crackers or crusty bread rolls are also great additions to this chowder! Grab a big spoon! Because you are going to want to slurp up every last bit of New England clam chowder!

Two bowls of clam chowder with a small bowl of oyster crackers.

Fluffernutter Sandwiches

Fluffernutter sandwiches- a Bostonian’s favorite after school snack! Marshmallow fluff is sweet and fluffy, and also tastes very similar to traditional marshmallows. The recipe idea for fluffernutter sandwiches originated with the Fannie Farmer's Boston School Cookbook, which was printed in 1896. A resident in Sommerville, MA first produced fluff. He sold it door to door until he sold the recipe to candy makers in Lynn, MA. Fluff then hit the shelves in 1917 and has been a staple in homes since!

Fluffernutter sandwiches are the perfect combination of sweet fluff and salty peanut butter slathered between two pillowy slices of white bread. If you are truly adventurous, you might even throw a few potato chips in the middle of the sandwich, too!

A fluffernutter sandwich, sliced diagonally and shingled.

Boston Cream Pie

Boston cream pies are a true classic American dessert. Chef Raelyn, from the Parker House Hotel, created the original Boston cream pie in 1881. This dessert begins with yellow butter cake, then layered with custard or cream. Finally, the cake is topped with a decadent chocolate glaze.

This dessert has gone through a few transformations. The first version included a rum sauce glaze. Gradually, it shifted to a become chocolate-covered dessert. The recipe made its print appearance in the Methodist Almanac in 1872. Soon it was modernized and printed again in Miss Parloa's Kitchen Companion in 1887, where it was called “chocolate cream pie.”

The Boston Cream Pie was declared Massachusetts’ official dessert in 1996. Though every Bostonian knows it’s been a favorite since 1881.