Food in the U.S.A.
-Mid Atlantic-
New Jersey
New Jersey earned its nickname, the Garden State, because there are a large number of vegetable farms and fruit orchards. New Jersey tomatoes make their appearance during the summer are eagerly awaited.
Apart from being a topmost state for tomato production, New Jersey's rich soil, especially in central and southern areas, is known for growing quality vegetables and fruits, such as blueberries, cranberries, peaches, apples, spinach, asparagus, and squash.
It is as good that new Jersey has more diners than any other state. Life in New Jersey is truly fast paced, especially for those heading into the city -New York- usually facing long commutes. The long working hours leave barely time to eat, yet to cook.
NEW JERSEY FOODS
There is a huge mix of Italian cooking and Irish fare, and, yes, most people eat out or have food to go, at least during the week. People do cook, and very well, just not on a daily basis; there is no time. New Jerseyans cook when the mood strikes, on weekends, or for family celebrations.
Lunch would be ordered at the local deli, to eat there or to take away. There is plenty of choice from huge Italian subs, thin crust pizza, saugages and peppers, turkey or pork rolls, egg and cheese sandwiches. Soup, pasta or salads are also in the lunch menu. The food is likely to go down accompanied of fruit juice, flavored water, iced tea, root beer or soda.
New jersey would buy something for dinner while at the deli, when they are not going out that evening, that is. Other option is to phone one of their favorite restaurants and order, just letting them know what time is pick up. The food will be ready and packed in thermal containers at the appointed time.
From the first hundred invitations I received on arriving to New Jersey, only three involved home cooked meals; halve the ratio after that.
On those terms, it is far easier to meet your New Jerseyan friends at one of the many restaurants -any time of the day- that having them for dinner at home. Consider it a privilege if you receive such an invitation from very private and busy New Jersey residents, though many times it will be an immaculately catered social event.
Of course, you can always go to the diner. Diners open very long hours, if not twenty four hours a day, and the serve meals regardless of the time. You can have breakfast at seven in the evening, dinner at midnight, and lunch at 6 AM. Ask for soda -not cola drink or pops- and... did we already mentioned their great root beer?
…and food events
The Annual Cranberry Festival at Chastworth and the Annual Pumpkin Show at South jersey, or try the Annual Food and Wine Festival at Cape May, a whole week of events for food and wine lovers. There are plenty of New Jersey food festivals.
RECIPES FROM NEW JERSEY
Pasta with sausages and peppers - Best sloppy Joe recipes - Italian sub - Ragalach.
OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT NEW JERSEY
Kiwi Bentley zooms in for a business lunch, hangs out with the crowd and makes a stance for sushi with her hit list. Read all about it at Bergen County restaurant hit list.
When people meet over food, they take advantage to communicate all sort of news. Kiwi Bentley brings to us topics of conversation that are making the rounds on the tables of diners young and old alike.
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