Food in Maine
-U.S.A. New England-
Maine
Empty lobster traps.
The famous Maine lobsters were not always considered a delicacy and a luxury food. There were so many of them that, initially, were used not for food but as fertilizer. Clams and clam recipes are second to lobster; you can even find burgers made of chopped clams.
Though Native Americans used to chew the resin of trees -to stave off hunger, in Maine they used the resin from the black spruce tree- the first commercial chewing gum was produced in Bangor, Maine, around 1848.
Aroostock County, Maine, grows potatoes in a large scale, it is probably the county that grows more potatoes in the whole United States. Aroostock county is also a beatiful spot to get away of it all and close to lakes, rivers, pine forests and beautiful coastline. Visit Presque Isle and Aroostock State Park.
Go in the summer, to enjoy the coast, beaches and beautiful views; some whale-watching maybe. Don't forget to stop in a lobster shack to choose a live lobster -or clams- and wait while it is steamed sipping wine or cold beer.
Winters are beautiful too and freezing cold. Hardy Mainers can stand it, but not many other people would be able.
MAINE FOODS
Lobsters, of course, and blueberries; Maine is the top producer of both in the whole United States, suplying 90% of the lobsters in the country and close to 99% of blueberries. Maine is fishing country and produces clams and other seafood.
Portland, Maine's largest city, counts with a variety of ethnic restaurants but outside there it is mainly simple American cuisine. Hot dogs and beans are the traditional dinner served on Saturdays, apart from Saturday-night church suppers -again, American fare- popular in many towns.
We were looking forward to try moxie, a brown soft drink not unlike root beer with a bitter taste, but we did not have the chance to try it. We did try whopee pie, cream sandwiched between chocolate chip cookies, and highly recommend it.
…and food events
Clam festival at Yarmouth in July.
RECIPES FROM MAINE
Return to food in New England, back to food in the USA to explore food in other states, or go to World Food and Wine home page.
