(PC:https://newportlobstershack.com)
Lobster (or Lobstah if you wanna get regional)
Way back when lobster was considered a poor man’s food due to its abundance in the New England area. Piles would wash up on the shores of Maine and people were turned off by its bug appearance. Through canning and the railroad, lobster spread throughout the country and became a special delicacy to those in the middle of the country where seafood was rare. Today it is considered a luxury but can still be found in small shacks lining the New England coast that are always poppin’ in the hot months of summer. Additionally to its integral role in the history of New England, it is on the healthier side (as long as you don’t add too much butter) being high in protein, minerals and vitamins not containing much fat. Use this guide to try some of the best lobster shacks in the region.
(PC: https://www.eater.com/2016/1/31/10810568/clam-chowder-manhattan-hatteras…)
Clams/ Clam Chowdah/Clam Bake
Clams are another popular seafood from the North East coast. They are prepared in several different ways including raw, steamed, in chowder, and through clambakes. The ways in which clams were prepared acted as a way to make the colonies distinctive from England in the 1700s and thus have become fun, traditional, and sociable experiences around New England. Clam chowdah is a super heavy and homey dish perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather or want to warm up on a snowy New England day. Here are some of the best places to get your chowdah fix in Boston!
(PC: https://www.traegergrills.com/recipes/pork/boston-baked-beans)
Baked Beans
This delicacy also dates back to colonial times when Bostonians began preparing their Baked Beans with molasses rather than maple syrup and it was a ~big~ game changer. This is thought to be one of the reasons Boston is often referred to as Beantown. Although this is not such a common delicacy anymore, there are still a few places such as Durgin-Park to get a traditional fixin’ of baked beans.
(PC: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/bas-best-apple-cider-doughnuts)
Cider Donuts
I had never seen these until I spent my first fall in New England but once October hit, they were ~everywhere~. These are cakey, buttermilk donuts made with apple cider and then coated in cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar. Naturally, they are popular due to the abundance of apple orchards in the region and are the best way to reward a hard day of studying.
(PC: https://www.amazon.com/Marshmallow-Fluff-16-plastic-tub/dp/B005BDBEEM)
Marshmallow Fluff
This sweet treat came out of Somerville at the beginning of the 20th century and is the best way to indulge in the nostalgia of childhood. It is a thick, sweet, creamy marshmallow spread that can be used in sandwiches such as the fluffernutter or simply eaten straight out of the can. To get the real New England feel, you can attend the annual Fluff festival which celebrates the creation of Fluff.