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Mouthwatering Massachusetts: Foodies Will Fall in Love With the State


Does the Bay State offer the finest homegrown grub in America? The good people who live there certainly like to think so. If you’re a dedicated foodie, accept the challenge, and find out for yourself whether Massachusetts cuisine lives up to that claim. 

Commonwealth cuisine

From Sagamore to Provincetown, and from the Connecticut River Valley to Cape Cod, Massachusetts offers a tantalizing array of comestibles that sure please the most sophisticated foodie. The Commonwealth boasts numerous bays along with a sizable coastal plane. This fortunate proximity to water may be one reason why Bostonians are so wild about their seafood dishes.

You’ll never miss a marvelous meal when you opt for lodging near Boston Harbor’s fabled wharf. Hike the Freedom Trail or take a leisurely stroll through Faneuil Hall Marketplace to work up an appetite for a brimming bowl of New England clam chowder. Once you’re hungry, savor creamy seafood soup, fresh-caught fish, and other scrumptious local delicacies at Waterline restaurant located in the Boston Marriott Long Wharf hotel.

Clams, clams everywhere

One can find a tasty plate of crispy fried clams in any corner of the commonwealth. For a truly adventurous foodie, the quest for clam bellies is a trifle more intense. Locally sourced Cape Cod clam bellies are best served up with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and a side of crunchy-creamy coleslaw.

Of course, clams are not the only shellfish in town. Seared Georges Bank scallops served with smoky bacon and seasonal vegetables are a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Scallops are not hard to cook. --The trick is to cook them right. Seasoned with pepper and salt, local scallops pair perfectly with upscale side dishes such as pear puree and duck confit, say food gurus at The Food Network

Seafood isn’t your favorite? That’s okay. You can still find plenty of interesting cuisine options in Massachusetts. When in Boston, it’s relatively easy to find a great corned beef sandwich. Brined and cooked with juniper berries, peppercorns, and bay leaves, lean sliced corned beef piled on locally baked pumpernickel and slathered with spicy brown mustard is a mouthwatering treat that’s good enough to write home about. 

Dessert delectables

Fish and shellfish are by far the featured favorites on Massachusetts menus but do leave room for dessert. In autumn, apple cider donuts are sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon and served by the thousands. 

A humble yet substantial corn custard called ‘Indian pudding’ is a dessert specialty in several Faneuil Hall eateries. With a consistency similar to sweet grits, Indian pudding is typically prepared with cornmeal, brown sugar, butter, and molasses. For an extra decadent dessert, eat it warm with a dollop of cold vanilla ice cream.

When visiting a town not your own, get a taste of local flavor when you explore a variety of restaurants, cafes, dinners, and delicatessens. If you’re a dedicated foodie, chances are good that you will fall in love with Massachusetts cuisine in a very big way. 

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