New England Foodies
There is just something about the food in New England that is just inspiring. Maybe it is all the fresh, local produce and the focus on organic raw ingredients that makes everything taste so refined. Maybe it is the crisp air that clears your palate and helps you to taste the flavors or perhaps it is just the ingenuity and creativity that foodies in New England bring to the plate. Whatever it is, I love it. Pretty much anywhere you go in New England you can find a good cup of coffee and delicious and healthy treat, or some inventive mixture of ingredients that makes it impossible for you not to try it. During our trip to Massachesetts and Vermont in October we really enjoyed the food New England has to offer.
One of the things I love about New England cuisine is the intent behind using seasonal and local produce, hence the copious amounts of maple in so many things from sausages to lattes to salad dressings (this one was at Madison’s a brewery in Bennington, Vermont). There is also a plethora of pumpkin dishes during the fall in New England – 3 things I appreciate the most in this variety are: Pumpkin Spice Coffee (which is now big everywhere, thanks to Starbucks – but it originated in New England), Pumpkin Ravioli and my favorite Pumpkin Ice Cream.
Almost every ice cream shop you go into during the fall offers Pumpkin Ice Cream –a delicious cloud of pale orange goodness. Yum! Roberto’s daughter Gwen and I became “ice cream buddies†during our trip and we delighted in our pumpkin ice cream together.
Then there is the chocolate. In New England people are artisans of various foods who take their craft very seriously. Every time I go to Bennington VT to visit my friends Nicki and Lisa aka Lisabeeen (a Vermont coffee artisan), they always take my to the Vermont Confectionery, this amazing chocolate place where they sell candies by the pound. You serve yourself out of huge glass jars with stainless steel scoops. It is so much fun! We tried cocoa almonds, cappuccino filled chocolates and a variety of chocolate cordial balls – some filled with hazelnut liquor, some with apricot brandy, almond, etc – you get the picture.
Nicki’s favorite is the Dark Chocolate malt balls.
Another fantastic place to get your food on in Bennington is The Blue Benn, an eclectic diner that serves some of the craziest combination of dishes.
On this trip to the Blue Benn I got the Southwestern Benedict. It was eggs benedict served on jalapeno corn bread with a creamy salsa hollandaise and served with a side of avocado and black beans.
Roberto went for a pork sandwich that he claims is one of the best he has ever had. Lisa always gets their nut burger which is a vegetarian burger made from nuts and lentils with a little dash of curry. But everyday they have at least 50 specials taped up on the wall to choose from in addition to their regular menu! It is quite a great place to go.
While we were in Bennington we also enjoyed a lovely dinner at Kevin at Mike’s Place. This place is welcoming to everyone, serves big portions and the food is delicious. I had a wonderfully crisp and thin fish sandwich there and everyone else really raved about their dinner as well.
If you ever make it to Hadley Massachusetts, just outside of Northampton you have got to try the café that has taken over route 9, Esselon Café. Esselon does simplicity in the finest way. They are known for their coffee and espresso drinks which are some of the best I have had. But their food is wonderful and always fresh. A salad is really a salad there. It is full of tender baby greens with just a hint of tangy balsamic vinaigrette and topped with fresh vegetables, delicious cheeses and nuts. They also have interesting soups and hearty sandwiches – perfect for a quick lunch. It is definitely one of my favorite places in the Northampton area – an area known for its restaurants.
Now that the fall is finally here in Florida, I am starting to get in the mood to make some delicious soups of my own. I felt inspired all over again with our trip to New England and I am still riding on that wave of pure maple syrup!
Abigail - November 13, 2007 at 11:39 pm
I’m always surprised at how much gorgeous food you eat and how thin you stay! You must have an enviable metabolism, girl.
One of my favorite pumpkin dishes is one I picked up from Japanese friends here in Japan where I live. You use kabocha, a kind of Japanese pumpkin, cut it into chunks, leaving the peel on, nuke it in a covered container with a bit of sugar and raisins (which draws out the juices and makes it really tender and plumps up the raisins), let it cool a bit, then mix with a bit of plain yogurt, a tiny dab of mayo, and some cream cheese. Put in the fridge to serve cold or leave it at room temp if you’re taking it on a picnic (Japanese love room temp food, and I’m always amazed nothing ever seems to spoil). It’s a gorgeous treat!
Kat - November 14, 2007 at 1:39 am
what a lovely foodie adventure! Love the last shot!
Peter G - November 14, 2007 at 1:42 am
Beautiful pictures, great commentary and an insightful introduction to this area of the US. The food looks fantastic and how delish does that pumpkin ice cream look. Great job Jenn!
Peter - November 14, 2007 at 7:46 am
Jenn, I bet that diner had the best food through out your recent N. england visit. Diners cook real, honest food.
Cara - November 14, 2007 at 10:31 am
I went to school in Amherst and never knew about this cafe – is it new? I will have to check it out on my next trip back to visit! And here is another suggestion, a place I think you might like to check out on your next visit to the Northampton Area: Judie’s in Amherst serves up delicious, eclectic dishes and their signature humungous popovers with apple butter. My favorite meal is the chai-spiced vegetable ragu topped with crispy potato pancakes and guacamole – it’s heaven!
Windy - November 14, 2007 at 11:10 am
I also like fresh, local products (not necessary organic) as they definitely taste better than the one from supermarket. Lucky you! 🙂
From Paris With Love - November 14, 2007 at 12:13 pm
That SW eggs benedict made me put my thinking cap on. I live in Paris where we don’t get crazy salty american breakfasts. I love croissants, but…. I am going to try that this weekend. Northampton is such a great place. I had a friend at school there. Nice blog!
Sylvia - November 14, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Wonderful gastronomic trip. Amazing
Banu (BaL) - November 14, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Hello Queen! You’re welcome…
I haven’t been writing in English on my blog, however I think I better do 🙂
Have frieds who don’t know Turkish, so I will -try to- write in english, too, with pleasure.
From the begining I haven’t cooked anything special to Turkish cuisine. I’m really addicted to all sweet things so I mostly bake cakes, cookies, etc…
But I guess I can try to cook some special Turkish food, too.
Nice to meet you Jenn,
And thanks for adding me to the BlogRoll 🙂
With lots of love…
Banu
Emiline - November 14, 2007 at 4:27 pm
That candy store looks really cool and old fashioned. I think I would enjoy New England, since I love maple and pumpkin so much.
I bought some pumpkin ice cream by Ed’s, and it’s not very good. It tastes fake. I wish I could taste some genuine pumpkin ice cream.
Mmmm….lattes.
Deb - November 14, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Great photos from your trip Jenn! The winner for me out of your food trip is the pumpkin ice cream. I have had it one time up north and boy do I remember it! Soooo good. And the dish that also caught my eye was the Southwestern Benedict! Oh my gosh, what a breakfast that would be for hubby, even though you could eat that dish any time of the day. Yes, we are even feeling a bit “fallish” here in Key West. It gets dark too early!
gwen - November 14, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Hey Jenn it`s gwen and that food looks yummy u go on ALOT of tasty travels and let me say thouse(spelling error)pictrues of food makes me want it. YAY bye your friend gwen
Valli - November 15, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Great fun Jenn!! Looks like you had quite the gastronomic adventure in new England. Great story!!!
núria - November 16, 2007 at 6:51 am
Is there a better “blending” than cooking/eating/blogging/travelling/eating…? It looks as if you had a great time! Por muchos años! (Hope you have it for a lot of years) 🙂
Happy Cook - November 16, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Looks like you all had such a fun. Pumpkin ice cream that i have never had. All the foodie pic looks so good and it must have been delicious.
Sue - November 16, 2007 at 6:47 pm
I want that salad!! I LOVE pomegranites in salad, except I hate dressing on the side. You’re right, there is great food in New England. My geography fails me right now, but was there good “chowda” where you were?
Maryann@FindingLaDolceVita - November 16, 2007 at 7:35 pm
I second the pumpkin ice cream!
Cynthia - November 16, 2007 at 8:13 pm
That is an excellent wave to ride 🙂
The Leftover Queen - November 17, 2007 at 11:12 am
Hi Abigial – trust me, my metabolism is nothing to envy! I have to work hard to maintain a decent weight with food all around me! That pumpkin dish sounds wonderful! I am certainly going to have to try that. Maybe as an appetizer for Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Kat! Yes, that is a beauty! Roberto is a wiz with the camera sometimes!
Thanks Peter G. I just love New England, so I think it really shines through when I talk about it. It is a very special place – nowhere quite like it.
Yes Peter, I agree! In the Northeast it seems as though there are a lot of diners that are run by Greeks! Must be why they are so tasty!
Hi Cara! I actually have been to Judies. I lived in the Northampton/Amherst area for about 12 years. I graduated from Hampshire College in 1999. What a small world!
Yes Windy! I agree buying local is the best!
Hi Paris! Yes, it is such a great place! Let me know how your experimenting works out! I could go for a nice buttery croissant! Yum!
Hi Sylvia, Thanks!
Hi Banu! Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I would love reading your blog!
Hey Emiline! I know you would love New England! It really is such a great place to take a vacation and experience something different!
Hi Deb! I know, it has started feeling a it wintery here in Ocala, too. So funny! I guess I am a Floridian now, huh? Yes, Pumpkin Ice Cream is my all time favorite!
HI GWEN!!! I am so excited that you left a comment on my blog! Do you like the pictures? remember that yummy ice cream? Hope you are doing well. Miss you.
Yes, Valli! It was quite gastronomic, indeed!
Hi Nuria! It was a wonderful trip full of all the things I love!
Hey Happy Cook! It was really delicious!
Hi Sue! Those are actualy dried cranberries. But pomegrante would have ben even better! The Chowda is on the coast, we were in the west, so now chowda that visit.
Yes, Maryann! Me too!
Totally Cynthia! 🙂
Toni - November 18, 2007 at 4:02 am
Thanks for taking us on your trip with you, Jenn! Love your photos – and you’ve made me hungry again, looking at all that delicious food!
VeggieGirl - November 18, 2007 at 11:28 am
Ah yes, I too love New England (especially during the autumn season!!); and the cuisine there really IS a treat since, as you said, there is an intent focus on using seasonal and local produce. Looks like you had a lovely trip, delicious trip! :0)
The Leftover Queen - November 19, 2007 at 9:58 am
Thanks Toni! It was a wonderful experience, can’t wait to do it again next year!
Hi VeggieGirl! Isn’t it great? It’s like a vegetarian paradise there! YUM!
lieludalis - December 5, 2007 at 9:52 am
As a native of New England, I can tell you that the ice cream is almost always fabulous. Most of the time you can just buy it in front of the dairy (although the cow smell isn’t very appetizing).
You visited some of the areas of New England that are “green”-est…college towns well known for their crunchy granola flair. Next time try the Hanover NH area. LABurdick chocolates are amazing!
Oh, and apple picking!!