Summer & Fall: Saltwater taffy is a delicious sweet and chewy treat that can be found in most seaside towns. Although its name includes the words saltwater, actual ocean water is not part of its ingredients. If you have never tried or seen salt water taffy being made than the next time you are Boothbay Harbor be sure to stop by the candy store in the middle of town next to the bowling alley. You can walk up to the window’s store front and watch as the pastel colored taffy being pulled and stretched into smooth saltwater taffy ready to be cut wrapped and packages. You can purchase the saltwater taffy right at the outside window along with homemade fudge which is cut off the slab right before you and let me say, is out of this world. Saltwater taffy is actually a treat that we would pick up whenever we visited Boothbay or Bar Harbor. I remember as a child up wrapping these pastel colored delicacies and sinking my teeth into them. The flavors were great from peanut butter to lemon although bubblegum was always my favorite. So the next time you are visiting one of Maine’s great coastal towns, forget about the lobster magnets and lighthouse t-shirts, and make sure you pick up some delicious saltwater taffy and enjoy!
Tag: Summer
Lobster Shacks: The Freshest No Frills Seafood Around
Summer & Fall: Lobster rolls, steamed lobster with hot drawn butter, fried lobster tails, baked stuffed lobster there are so many ways to enjoy lobster but, my favorite way…at your local lobster shack. Nothing fancy just pure Maine lobster done right and enjoyed as if you were sitting at your own picnic table in your backyard. Some of the best lobster shacks are off the beaten path but, well worth the trip to find them. Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown is just one of these places to discover. Well off the thorough ways of Route 1 you need to head deep into Georgetown where the road meets the sea. The restaurant is located on the pier which overlooks the ocean from all angles. The food is not fancy but, about as fresh as you can get it. There are picnic tables lined along the pier with a canopy over some if you are not into sitting into the direct sun. You need to order your lobsters at one window and your fried items at another. It’s a great place to visit with friends and a great place to enjoy the food and view without the mess. The Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster is only a 10 minute drive from the heart of Freeport’s outlet shopping and also has some of the freshest seafood around. The “shack” has a bit more of a restaurant feel but, true to lobster shack dining there are picnic tables lining the docks where the fishing boats are unloading the days supply of lobsters and seafood. They have great homemade clam chowder and also offer a fabulous lobster roll with very little mayo and lots of meat. The menu is a la carte so all the fixings that go along with a Maine shore dinner can be found. Be sure to save room for their homemade ice cream, it is definitely the best around! Lobster shacks are a treat and if you are looking for no frills dining with the freshest seafood around then these are worth the trip!
Seafood: Don’t Forget The Haddock!
Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: If you are a Maine lobster fan but are looking to try some new options in seafood, don’t forget the haddock! Nothing beats Gulf of Maine haddock, mild, white and flaky and it can be enjoyed so many ways. Many restaurants in the state offer it fried, baked, stuffed or even in milky white chowder. Whichever way you choose you certainly will not be disappointed. An even more traditional way to enjoy haddock is the famous fried haddock sandwich with cheese and tartar sauce on a roll. You can’t beat the Sea Basket’s on Route 1 in Wiscasset. The haddock is deep fried to golden perfection and it’s usually fresh off the boat. Another place just down the road is Red Eats, known for their lobster rolls which are definitely recommended, Red’s also has great fried haddock sandwiches. Another traditional way to enjoy haddock in Maine is in fish chowder. This is a savory-milk based soup that is made sometimes with or without potatoes but, always with only the freshest haddock. A great place to enjoy some of the best haddock chowder is Hattie’s Chowder House in the heart of Hallowell. Hattie’s has some of the best haddock chowder around. Hot, creamy and loaded with fresh Maine haddock, you just can’t beat it! So the next time you go out for seafood, don’t forget the haddock!
Crabbing: Fresh Crab Meat, Catch It Yourself!
Summer: Fresh crab meat rolls are always a treat and even more so when you do all the work yourself. Here in Maine fresh crabmeat can be found in more places than just your local fish or supermarket. A fun way to enjoy some of the tastiest and freshest crabmeat is to go crabbing and it is not as hard as you think. Crabbing takes very little skill and depending on the method you use to catch them only marginal experience. Before you get started you will want to check with your city hall to see what permits you will need. Day permits can be purchased for recreational crabbing but, it will depend on where you want to go. With crabbing like many things, timing is everything. You want to check the tide chart before you head out. You will probably be more successful in catching crabs during the last few hours before the tide goes out because this is when they tend to head for shore to feed off bugs and vegetation. The equipment is simple, gloves are a definite to help avoid getting pinched, a dip net if you want to use this method made from nylon mesh, a ventilated container with a heavy cloth and bait which can be poultry parts or fish like mackerel. The best place to catch crabs are around any structure in the water like a jettie, pier, seawalls, wharfs, etc… They like to attach themselves to these structures and float around nearby while feeding. The method is simple, take your dip net slowly lower it into the water and scoop them into the net. If you have a boat you would want to stand on the bow in order to have solid footing. Once you catch them be sure to put them into your ventilated container and keep them covered. Do not store them in water because they can suffocate once the oxygen is depleted from the water. Crabbing is a fun way to work for a delicious and fresh seafood dinner so give it a try!
Pottery: Unique, Hand-Crafted Works Of Art
Spring, Summer & Fall: There is something about hand crafted items that appeals to people. Perhaps it is the knowledge that someone took the time and creativity to bring their craft to fruition. Pottery has always been a popular art form and with such great galleries in the state it’s hard to know where to go to find quality pieces where function and form become a perfect combination. If you are in the mid-coast area two great places to stop is Georgetown Potters and Edgecomb Potters. These studios produce some of the finest pieces of pottery in the state. Edgecomb Potters literally puts this small mid-coast town as a stop for most who enjoy pottery and are traveling through the area. The studio is a kaleidoscope of beautiful colors with wonderful displays of pottery that show off their ability to mix specialize glazes and colors creating unique color patterns on each piece. In addition to pottery they also have a wonder collection of glass pieces and jewelry all hand-crafted. I love the set of the gallery. A large deck provides a great show space for their pottery collection and catches visitors eyes from the parking lot. Inside, one is surrounded by light and space. The space is filled with wonderful pieces of art in all colors with enough pieces to appeal to anyone’s taste. Another great stop while you are in the area is Georgetown Potters. This place is known for it’s famous Ikebanas vases. These vases are the perfect way to enjoy simplistic flower arrangements and definitely make a statement. In addition, they have a wonderful collection of whimsical “Maine” themed patterns that grace these sturdy pieces of pottery. Go explore the Mid-Coast area and discover these two wonderful pottery shops. They make excellent gift items for any occasion.