For those who’re planning a visit to the Maritimes you’ll in all probability been advised to attempt the seafood and have heard of this mysterious meat dish we name a donair.
However Nova Scotia meals is way over lobster rolls and spiced floor meat.
For the final 12 months I’ve been compiling an inventory of conventional meals in Nova Scotia, or meals that you could solely discover in Nova Scotia.
Initially I wished the checklist to be 99 important eats however I’ve solely landed at 73 objects.
However I take into account it a piece in progress, so assist me get to the coveted 99 by sharing what’s lacking from this checklist!
I’ve additionally included wine pairings for these Nova Scotian meals.
I detest that when individuals recommend wine that they are saying white for fish and pink for beef. It’s a bit extra sophisticated than that!
Nova Scotia Meals Classics
So I went to the Nova Scotia wineries with this checklist of meals and requested them to inform me tips on how to pair wine with seafood and different meals in Nova Scotia.
I cherished their enthusiasm as we laughed at a few of them (rappie pie) and others (largely Lunenburg sausage) I needed to clarify what they had been.
However hey generally you simply wish to chew on some dulse and sip on a glass of native wine, proper???
Lobster Dinner
So many individuals ask me the place to eat a lobster dinner in Nova Scotia. The reality is Maritimers eat lobster at house.
It’s just too costly for us to justify consuming out once we should buy it straight from the fishermen and boil or steam it at house. We unfold out the newspaper and go loopy.
For those who’re within the Annapolis Valley the place to go is Halls Harbour Lobster Pound.
You may select the dimensions and sides (coleslaw and potato salad for me) or additionally they produce other seafood choices.
Lobster quesadilla and lobster poutine may be very common.
It’s at Halls Harbour, a working harbour that hasn’t simply been created for vacationers to go to. If the tide is out you may stroll alongside the seaside and take a look at the tidal swimming pools.
Outdoors the Valley, The Shore Membership subsequent to Hubbards seaside has been a household owned lobster dinner joint for over 80 years.
It’s additionally a dance corridor at evening so you may keep for a dinner and dance.
Though they solely serve lobster (with the choice of a turf menu as nicely) there are free mussels and a salad bar.
This can be a small lobster in my hand. Whereas some individuals assume greater is healthier, I might by no means order something above 2.5lbs because the meat will get powerful. 2-2.5lbs is the candy spot.
Brown bread
This brown bread is made with fancy molasses and a bit candy. I additionally love oatmeal brown bread and am blissful to eat it with only a little bit of salted butter.
Though it’s so easy and scrumptious it’s straightforward to eat half a loaf…
Advised wine pairing: Mercator Compass Rose, Planter’s Ridge Riesling
Mackerel
A fish generally present in Atlantic Canada, though shares are down in recent times.
It’s a barely oilier fish with plenty of nice omega 3 fatty acids. Due to the oil it’s usually fried, smoked or barbecued.
Lobster Roll
Whereas Nova Scotians don’t eat lobster dinners exterior their house, the lobster roll is so common there’s even a McLobster.
Some locations prefer to get fancy however I believe lobster with mayo on a white canine bun that’s buttered and toasted is ideal.
Nova Scotia meals is straightforward and doesn’t want truffle oil and all the opposite issues outsiders do to “enhance” lobster rolls.
Though I’ve by no means turned down a lobster roll as a result of it was too fancy…
Advised wine pairing: Avondale Sky Cheverie, Benjamin Bridge Nova 7
Brother’s Pepperoni
We owe this pub dish to 2 brothers who immigrated from Poland within the 50s.
You should buy it on the grocery retailer within the deli division. Additionally, it’s a well-liked dish at pizza outlets and pubs the place it’s deep fried and served with honey mustard.
Counsel wine pairing: Luckett Winery Leon Millot
Fats Archies Cookies
Comfortable molasses cookies from Cape Breton island that always have cinnamon and raisins.
It was additionally generally made with bacon fats, maybe that’s the explanation they’re referred to as Fats Archies.
Molasses has been in east coast households for hundreds of years, and we used it even after the remainder of the world shunned molasses when refined white sugar was accessible.
There’s one thing concerning the depth of molasses that neither maple syrup nor sugar can replicate.
Digby Scallops
An iconic Nova Scotia meals, scallops from Digby are identified all over the world. And whereas you will get nice scallops throughout Nova Scotia.
”There’s nothing like consuming them the identical day they had been harvested out of the Bay of Fundy.
Scallops will be cooked many alternative methods. Pan-seared, bacon wrapped, deep fried and even uncooked at Half Shell in Lunenburg.
Whereas I usually keep away from deep fried meals, there’s no higher place to eat scallops than at Ed’s Take Out in Digby.
It’s a small family-owned roadside joint with solely 2 tables inside and picnic tables exterior.
However the flippantly battered scallops are like butter melting in your mouth. It’s value a drive to Digby for these scallops alone. Carry money as they don’t settle for debit.
Runner up is Crow’s Nest in Hillsburn simply exterior Annapolis Royal, which additionally brings in contemporary seafood every morning.
Wild Blueberries
I like Nova Scotia blueberries. It’s the one factor that makes the tip of strawberry season bearable.
A lot of the blueberries in Nova Scotia are cultivated in both British Colombia or Nova Scotia. Ontario and Quebec don’t actually develop a lot exterior native demand.
And whereas I grew up selecting u-pick blueberries at Blueberry Acres, and nonetheless do right now (a lot cheaper) I’ve to say wild blueberries are utterly completely different.
You don’t should go foraging for them your self. A lot of the farmers markets may have them.
They’re much completely different from cultivated berries. They’re smaller and extra tart and value attempting, I believe they make an awesome street journey snack.
Rappie Pie
A conventional Acadian dish, this can be a Nova Scotia meals you’ll both love or hate.
However I believe it actually relies on who makes it. It may well style like wallpaper paste or a comforting casserole.
I’ve had each.
My recommendation is in the event you’re at somebody’s house, take only a small portion to attempt it first. Additionally, ketchup helps.
Considerably like a shepherd’s pie, but in no way. Rappie pie is made by shredding potatoes, urgent them to take away the moisture after which including meat and broth to the dish.
If it’s not crispy it may be powerful to eat.
You could find rappie pie in lots of eating places alongside the Acadian shore but it surely’s most nicely regarded at Pink Cap restaurant in Pubnico.
Advised wine pairing: L’Acadie Winery Passito, Area de Grand Pre Champlain
Molasses Sandwich
An old style deal with, molasses unfold on bread and eaten as a sandwich. Straightforward peasy.
Summer time Savory
I grew up with summer season savory being a standard ingredient in our kitchen. It wasn’t till I attempted to make turkey dressing for a Thanksgiving in Toronto that I noticed it was a Nova Scotia meals.
Regardless of all of the locations to purchase herbs and spices in Toronto, the closest I may get was winter savory.
Little did I do know that I may purchase summer season savory on Amazon.
Summer time savory is a Mediterranean herb that European settlers introduced. Much like thyme or marjoram, however extra peppery and aromatic. There isn’t any actual substitute.
Whereas it’s extra generally often called an ingredient for meals in Provence, it someway tailored to our powerful Maritime local weather.
When it grew stronger, it additionally developed a extra intense flavour.
Whereas summer season savory is synonymous with Acadian meals the place it is named sarriette d’été Ancienne d’Acadie it’s prevalent all through all Nova Scotia delicacies.
Lunenburg Pudding
It doesn’t look essentially the most appetizing because it’s gray. A German-style sausage that’s just like a pâté, pork, liver and beef is boiled and them mixed with onion, coriander and summer season savory.
Victor Greek of Greek’s High quality Meats created the sausage within the Nineteen Forties and have become so common the store was promoting 1500 kilos every week.
Though Victor retired and offered Greek Meat’s in 2018, the store continues to make use of the unique recipe. You may also discover it on the native Foodland in Lunenburg.
Advised wine pairing: Blomidon Property Vineyard Riesling
Lunenburg Sausage
A contemporary sausage variant of the Lunenburg pudding.
Creamed Lobster
Oh what number of methods can we eat lobster!
However this one is completely a deal with. It’s not usually on menus so in the event you discover it it’s essential to order it!
Lobster cooked in cream and butter, it is without doubt one of the most decadent open face sandwiches you’ll ever have.
Tancook Sauerkraut
Produced on Tancook Island, this Nova Scotia sauerkraut has been produced for practically 200 years.
It’s comprised of smaller cabbage which might be shredded by hand and fermented in wood barrels.
You should buy it in most supermarkets, usually within the meat division.
Quahog Clams
The preferred strategy to serve clams is fried. However you will discover this Nova Scotia meals in chowders, soups, seafood boils and clam bakes.
However in the event you’re on the lookout for nice fried clams take a look at the foood truck at Foote Farm Market in Centreville, Seaside Seafoods in Hunt’s Level and John’s Lunch in Dartmouth.
Blueberry Soup
Served chilled, blueberries are cooked with spices and served with a dollop of cream. It’s a pleasant gentle dessert.
The Foremost Road restaurant in Ingonish, which is well-known for seafood all the time receives rave opinions for its chilled blueberry soup.
Smoked Eel
Lengthy earlier than the English or French arrived in Nova Scotia, the Mi’kmaq indigneous individuals lived right here.
Often known as kat in Mi’kmaq, eel is an underrated delicacy. It was not solely eaten however eels had medicinal makes use of and would bind instruments.
Whereas it might be tough to seek out eel on a menu, you will discover smoked eel in markets all through the province.
Haddock
For those who don’t have haddock in Nova Scotia you haven’t eaten.
Whereas haddock fish and chips or haddock chowder is incredible, you may’t beat a pan fried haddock.
Storm Chips
Storm chips are a latest phenomena that I’ve not but skilled. However when Hurricane Dorian was coming our method everybody went on the lookout for storm chips.
Not merely potato chips that you just eat throughout the storm. This can be a meals ration particularly to get you thru a snow storm.
In Nova Scotia, you will be caught inside for days throughout a storm. The ability could exit and hopefully you’ve a wooden range or generator.
However most of all, it’s essential to have snacks.
Storm chips began as a joke, a strategy to rejoice a storm by having a deal with. However then an organization in New Brunswick was sensible sufficient to make them.
Now you can purchase luggage of storm chips which have 4 completely different flavours multi function bag: ketchup, dill pickle, sea salt and vinegar and barbecue.
Donair
Most individuals I do know don’t eat donairs regularly. It’s undoubtedly a late evening after consuming meals, subsequent day hung over meals, or a particular deal with.
Whereas Nova Scotia has a protracted historical past of English/Irish/Scottish descendants, there have been additionally a lot of Greek and Lebanese immigrants.
And thank gawd, as a result of we would have liked to diversify Nova Scotia delicacies.
Donairs are just like gyros. Spiced floor meat cooked on a spit after which shaved. It’s served on a Greek-style thick pita topped with onion and tomato, from afar donairs appear like gyros.
However Donair sauce is like nothing you’ve ever seen and it’s an acquired style.
Some adore it and others assume the combination of sweetened condensed milk and vinegar is repulsive. Others make it with evaporated milk, icing sugar and vinegar.
As a Nova Scotian I like it.
Locals love their donair sauce a lot that they couldn’t take pleasure in it solely on donairs.
Garlic fingers are common all through North America, but it surely’s solely in Nova Scotia that you just’ll discover individuals dipping them in donair sauce!
Professional tip: Go to the grocery retailer and refill on a couple of bottles of donair sauce whilst you’re on the town!
Donairs are so engrained in our tradition that we simply want a motive to eat them.
When Hurricane Dorian was approaching somebody realized Dorian had the identical letters as donair.
Instagram was crammed with Nova Scotians having fun with Hurricane donairs whereas the facility was out and timber had been crashing down.
Donairs are the official meals of Halifax. There are fancy spots now like Johnny Okay’s, however in the event you’re in Halifax go to the OG.
King of Donair (or as we name it, Okay.O.D.) and get the small, even if you’re splitting.
Counsel Wine Pairing: Avondale Sky Vineyard Glowing Rose, Planter’s Ridge Riesling
Boiled Dinner
I didn’t develop up consuming this. However boiled dinner is precisely what it appears like, a boiled dinner.
Nicely I ought to say it’s a braised meal, with meat, root greens and spices.
Generally it consists of salted brisket, a bone-in ham or some African Nova Scotian households used pigtails – which frankly I believe sounds just like the tastiest possibility of the three.
Mustard Pickles
Cucumbers, cauliflower and bell peppers pickled with dry mustard and turmeric. It’s a conventional condiment from Cape Breton.
Fish and Chips
For those who assume you’ve had good fish and chips exterior the Maritimes you higher assume once more.
It’s such a easy dish however you want a sizzling fryer, contemporary haddock and nice fries.
Vicky’s is understood for glorious fish and chips however I’ve to present my prime decide to Islandview Restaurant simply exterior Mahone Bay. You will get their fish breaded or battered,
It’s a bit of roadside spot that has been household owned for the reason that Sixties. It’s additionally an awesome bakery.
It should even have nice soup as I noticed tons of individuals ordering the soup of the day.
I’d skip the eating and head exterior because the view on the picnic tables is pretty much as good because the meals.
Dulse
You may’t eat all seaweed however you may eat this pink seaweed from the Bay of Fundy. It has a salty umami flavour and is nice as a dried snack by itself.
However it’s additionally actually good to crumble and add to soups even savoury shortbread cookies.
Advised Wine Pairing: Benjamin Bridge can of Nova 7
Smoked Fish with Cream Egg Sauce
Initially a dish from Scotland, it made its strategy to New Scotland. There are numerous variations of this dish. My grandmother made a model of this as a milk sauce with common haddock.
This can be a dish usually cooked in individuals’s properties and sometimes present in cafes that serve house cooking.
Advised Wine Pairing: Mercator Sauvage, Luckett Winery Ortega
Solomon Gundy
The peculiar sounding Nova Scotia meals is definitely herring pickled with onion and spices.
It’s stated the title originates from an English salad that contained anchovies, referred to as salamagundi.
Apparently, Solomon Gundy is discovered within the Caribbean and is a typical Jamaican meals.
On the South Shore chances are you’ll discover pickled herring wrapped round cucumber and onion. This pinwheel was thought-about to be a dependable hangover remedy.
Advised Wine Pairing: Avondale Sky Nirvana, L’Acadie Winery Glowing Rose
Digby Hen
It’s not hen nor does it come from Digby, in reality this sturdy flavoured Nova Scotia meals is cured herring.
Mussels
Mussels in Nova Scotia are a no brainer. They’re nice in pubs, formal eating places and even higher at house.
For those who like mussels don’t miss the cream of mussel soup at The Knot Pub in Lunenburg.
Haddie Bits and Fries
Haddock is common in lots of many types. Haddie bits are ends of haddock deep fried and served with fries.
For those who’re on Freeway 1, or as locals name it – the previous freeway, cease by Pearle’s in Paradise for Haddie Bits and ice cream for dessert.
Snow Crab
Snow crab from Cape Breton is shipped everywhere in the world.
Our chilly waters make for very flavourful crab meat that you just don’t get within the hotter waters the place you sometimes get crab.
Seafood Chowder
Just about any self-respecting native restaurant in Nova Scotia has chowder.
The one fixed in Nova Scotian chowder is that it’s milk/cream primarily based. Even Le Caveau’s model which is a riff on Spanish ajo blanco and makes use of floor almonds – nonetheless has some cream in it.
However apart from dairy, Nova Scotian chowder recipes can range. Some use clams, others don’t.
For those who’re fortunate there might be lobster, however others are haddock and potato solely.
Some recipes use cream though chowder in Nova Scotia tends to be much less thick.
Chowder is so various that I’ve three chowder recipes on this website together with: mussel chowder and this seafood chowder from Prince Edward Island.
Some spots thicken with flour – which, I don’t like in any respect. However it’s additionally harmful for celiacs and people with gluten intolerance.
Crystanny’s in Canning is the primary 100% gluten-free restaurant in Nova Scotia and gives an awesome haddock chowder.
A real native spot, will even provide the choice for a cup of chowder with a half-sandwich. This can be a traditional Nova Scotian lunch.
Advised Wine Pairing: Gaspereau Vineyards Tidal Bay, Benjamin Bridge Vēro
Fish Desserts
A typical dish to have at house or in a restaurant. Fish muffins are a consolation meals in Nova Scotia.
Merely made with salt cod, onion and mashed potatoes. They’ll additionally embody contemporary herbs, celery, spices and generally bacon.
It’s frequent to have them at house or with a salad at a restaurant. If we don’t have fish we merely make potato muffins.
Well-liked spots for fish muffins are on the Outdated Triangle in Halifax, Union Road Cafe in Berwick or Bluenose 2 in Halifax, which has been round for the reason that Sixties.
Periwinkles
It’s not frequent to seek out snails on menus throughout Nova Scotia however they’re scrumptious with garlic butter.
Dragon’s Breath cheese
Pairs superbly with Area de Grand Pre Ortega. It’s most frequently described as just like a Chardonnay.
Creamed Peas on Toast
A throwback to our roots in English delicacies.
Tourtiere – Meat Pies
From the Acadians, shredded or floor meat underneath a pastry crust.
Inexperienced Tomato Chow Chow
Generally Nova Scotia meals is heavy, particularly the cream or potato dishes so condiments are key.
Chow chow is comprised of pickling the whole lot from inexperienced tomatoes, to beans – mainly any contemporary summer season vegetable that’s accessible.
It’s used just like a relish so it’s an awesome condiment for fish muffins and even on prime of a sizzling canine.
Locals make their very own chow chow however you may also discover it at farmers markets.
Oysters
Whereas oysters are thought-about a PEI meals, we are able to maintain out personal in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotian oysters vary from salty and meaty to having a mushroom style and a candy end. It actually relies on the place they had been cultivated.
You could find PEI oysters in Nova Scotia together with New Brunswick oysters.
However in the event you’re wanting particularly for Nova Scotian oysters see if they’ve the next:
- Aspy bay
- Belon
- Bras D’Or
- Cap-Breton
- Chedabucto
- Eel Lake
- Fox Island
- Girl Chatterly
- Little Harbour
- Merigomish
- Pugwash
- Rocky Aspect
- Ruisseau
- Shan Daph
- South Lake
- Candy Level
- Tatamagouche
- Thrumcaps
Pictou County Pizza
Particularly Acropole Pizza, I had no concept that Pictou had a pizza so nice that so many individuals would suggest it.
It seems that it’s due to the brown sauce on the pizza. It’s so beloved that Sobey’s grocery retailer now shares it within the frozen pizza part.
Hodge Podge
Finest described as a vegetable chowder. This Nova Scotia meals is a summer season dish because it options summer season contemporary greens like wax beans, inexperienced beans, potatoes, carrots and peas.
For those who see “hodge podge” on the signal of farmer’s promote it means they’re normally promoting the combination of greens so that you could make it at house.
It’s made by gently boiling the greens and including butter, cream, salt and pepper.
Advised Wine Pairing: Mercator Vineyards Sauvage, Gaspereau Vineyards White Rock
Hen Fricot
A sort of stew, that is one other Acadian dish that’s usually made with leftover hen or turkey (though this Christmas pizza can also be an awesome thought).
The broth is made with the carcass, root greens are added together with summer season savory and dumplings.
Stew and Doughboys
Much like Acadian fricot, stew and doughboys are dumplings dropped right into a beef stew. It’s additionally frequent to seek out this in Newfoundland.
Haskap Berries
We’re an agriculture area and so we are able to develop quite a lot of attention-grabbing berries. I didn’t develop up with haskap berries however now Nova Scotia is legendary for them.
Additionally referred to as, blue honeysuckle and sweetberry honeysuckle. They’re frequent in Japan, and it seems we have now an identical local weather.
Haskap berries appear like wonky rectangular blueberries and style like someplace in between a wild blueberry and a raspberry.
They’re so common that it’s generally exhausting to seek out them contemporary except you already know somebody who grows them of their yard.
However maintain a watch out for jams and Grand Pre vineyard additionally sells a haskap glowing wine.
Fiddleheads
Fiddleheads are younger ferns earlier than they unravel their frond. Discovered early within the Spring, they’re a scrumptious inexperienced vegetable that tastes incredible pan fried.
There are such a lot of nice fiddlehead recipes. I like this deep-fried fiddlehead recipe, because it’s straightforward to grasp the primary time cooking this foraged plant.
Fiddleheads are so generally foraged that you just don’t must exit within the forest to scope out the moist grounds your self.
You could find them in most farmers markets within the spring, across the similar time as ramp season.
Pink and Inexperienced Pepper Jelly
Nova Scotia is a province of preserving to get by the winter. Sizzling pepper jelly may be very common right here. Each pink and inexperienced pepper jelly is frequent in Nova Scotia, usually served on contemporary bread.
Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
It’s not from Nova Scotia, but it surely definitely is a well-liked meal right here. Since we have now such nice producers right here it’s an area favorite.
Foraged Meals
It’s changing into extra frequent to see foraged meals, particularly from the ocean, at farmer’s markets.
Hold your eye out for Bay of Fundy sea lettuce, sea asparagus, rose hips and ramps.
Nova Scotia’s Quick Meals Favourites
Once I put the decision out on Fb for Nova Scotian meals I used to be stunned at how many individuals gave me particular issues to eat at particular locations.
These will not be conventional meals in Nova Scotia per se, however undoubtedly native favourites so I wished to incorporate them.
They actually do replicate our quirky tradition because the meals is various and generally questionable in one of the best ways.
Donair Egg Roll
We love donair any method we are able to get it. Not solely is it accessible as a pizza, however you may also get it as a egg roll.
The Hantsport Kwik Manner comfort retailer is named top-of-the-line spots for this quirky Nova Scotia meals.
Candy Maria Burger
Jonny’s is a cookhouse that includes burgers, sizzling canines and poutine. The burgers are floor in home and made on buns made each day.
It’s additionally a dairy bar with indoor and out of doors seating and it’s all the time crowded, however its normally with takeaway meals and after dinner ice cream.
The Candy Maria has bacon, pineapple, candy chili sauce and mayo. For those who’re feeling hungry splurge on the Jerry, which incorporates these toppings on two patties.
Fried Hen
An agricultural space, Nova Scotia raises loads of hen.
Whereas we could not have the well-known title of Kentucky and even the spiciness of Nashville Sizzling Hen we do have nice fried hen. A & Okay Lick a Chick in Little Bras D’or is the place to go.
Fries from Bud the Spud
Certain you will get nice fries in every single place however everybody is aware of the place Bud the Spud is. And it’s usually used as a degree to present instructions.
This chip truck has been on Spring Backyard Street in Halifax earlier than meals vans had been stylish.
They used to cook dinner the potatoes in lard, which made them scrumptious. However I’m undecided if that’s nonetheless true.
Jimmy Canine
Elevating the bar to what we predict sizzling canines. Constituted of naturally raised pigs with out antibiotics, Jimmy Canine are from Meadowbrook Farm Meat Market.
There isn’t any gluten, whey, soy, dairy, MSG, synthetic dyes or animal by merchandise.
It’s simply pure muscle meat making these sizzling canines stand above the remainder.
The Chickenburger
The oldest drive-in diner in Canada, it nonetheless makes use of the identical recipe for hen on a bun that it did in 1940.
For those who really feel like hamburgers have gotten too loopy in the previous few years and yearn for easier burger occasions you then’ll love the hamburgers right here.
Pizza at Pizza Nook
A ceremony of passage for anybody going out consuming in Halifax. Nothing tastes higher than a slice of greasy pizza at 2am with donair dipping sauce.
Peanut Butter Burger
For those who ever questioned what a peanut butter would ever style like on a burger that already had bacon, lettuce, tomato and cheese then head to Darrells restaurant.
With gourmand burgers, fries and milkshakes you’ll marvel the way you’ve survived with out peanut butter as a burger topping.
The Lunenburger
Served at The Grand Banker Bar & Grill in Lunenburg, this can be a burger like no different.
Not solely does it have 6 ounces of beef, but it surely additionally has:
- smoked mozzarella
- smoked bacon
- child spinach
- garlic aioli
- topped with Nova Scotia lobster knuckle and claw meat with tarragon butter sauce
- native artisan bun
- topped with a bacon-wrapped scallop
Garlic Fingers with Donair Sauce
Whereas I’ve already defined what a donair is, the reality is the sauce is what makes this Nova Scotia meals distinctive.
Pizza dough, garlic butter topped with cheese. We order it alongside pizza and it’s minimize into skinny strips or “fingers”
You will get it as a dipping sauce from pizza and as an alternative of marinara sauce, it’s extra frequent for Nova Scotians to get donair sauce.
For those who adore it like I do, you may seize a bottle for house.
Head to the deli division of a grocery retailer and so they’ll have a couple of by the pizzas and garlic fingers to-go.
Smelts
Once I grew up smelts had been thought-about a poor man’s fish. However with the deal with consuming sustainable fish, and other people getting over their snobby selves, smelts have made a comeback.
Fried entire, most joints will take the top off for you. You possibly can attempt to eat across the bones, however they’re so small I normally simply chew by them.
Nova Scotian Desserts + Sweets
Nova Scotians love dessert, a lot in order that I in all probability may have written an inventory of 99 Nova Scotian desserts.
Strawberry Shortcake
We didn’t invent strawberry shortcake however we do eat quite a lot of it. Strawberries are in every single place in Nova Scotia over the summer season.
My first job was selecting strawberries and it’s my favorite season.
Blueberry Grunt
A conventional Nova Scotian dessert, blueberry grunt is cooked blueberries cooked with dumplings.
It’s usually served with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Egg Tarts
Nova Scotia could appear small to some, however even we have now our regional meals. Egg tarts are largely discovered round Digby, significantly round Digby Neck.
Historically they had been solely on Brier Island and Lengthy Island, however mainlanders wanted to make their very own.
Absolute musts are a do-it-yourself pastry shell, by no means frozen and an excellent custard filling. Brier Island is legendary for tempting guests with its distinctive recipe that additionally makes use of vinegar.
It sounds odds however in the event you assume egg tarts are too candy the vinegar helps stability the sweetness.
Coconut Cream Cake
Whereas coconut isn’t an area ingredient, the cafe at Wheaton’s furnishings retailer has been serving coconut cream cake for therefore lengthy that it’s turn out to be a Nova Scotian mainstay.
Moon Mist Ice Cream
The unique unicorn colored dessert, moon mist is a mixture of banana, grape and bubblegum ice cream.
The colorful deal with is supposed for kids. However I can’t resist ordering moon mist ice cream even when it’s simply as soon as every summer season.
The flavours aren’t pure tasting however they’re scrumptious.
I’ve heard you will get it out of the Maritimes, but it surely’s uncommon. However there’s nothing like consuming it at house.
Oat Desserts
Initially from Scotland, it’s a standard Nova Scotian dessert or only a candy for tea time.
Oatcakes will be served plain, however many bakeries in Nova Scotia make them with drizzled chocolate for an additional deal with.
Fruit Pie
Associates gave a protracted checklist of pie solutions together with strawberry rhubarb, apple, blueberry and even coconut pie.
All utilizing seasonal fruit, besides the coconut as they’ll by no means develop in our chilly local weather.
The place to go for pie within the Annapolis Valley is Stirling’s.
This can be a very deceptive piece of recommendation as a result of whereas all of the native’s name it Stirling’s, that was its authentic title and altered many years in the past to Evangeline Motel and Inn Cafe.
However Maritimers are persistent. Visiting Stirling’s in the summertime for pie is a practice. And in the event you can’t make it right here’s their berry crisp recipe.
Privateer’s Bounty Ice Cream
This ice cream could also be newer however has a nod to our historical past, and definitely Nova Scotia’s unofficially tune, Barrett’s Privateers.
Most by the news outlets may have Privateer’s Bounty, which has black licorice ribbons and crunchy items of butter toffee.
Apple Crisp or Pie
Being house to an apple valley we develop over 35 apples in Nova Scotia. Whereas the Cortland is the most well-liked apple to cook dinner with, each house cook dinner has their very own opinions.
Apple pie is all the time accessible, however there’s nothing like an excellent do-it-yourself apple crisp.
Barley Toys
These exhausting sweet treats are common at Christmas.
Constituted of barley sugar and water, you should buy luggage of this pink and white sugar sweet, which are available in odd shapes like a rooster or rocking horse.
Hen Bones
Essentially the most weird Christmas sweet, my mom loves them. They’re rose pink cinnamon flavoured sweet with a chocolate inside.
Strawberry Freezer Jam
My household jokes that my grandmother would reside off tea and toast (with jam).
In the summertime we’d end dinner after which the entire household would go to a strawberry U-Decide patch. It was a compulsory post-dinner exercise as a result of my grandmother would make sufficient jam for the whole 12 months.
Berries aren’t cooked in freezer jam so it tastes extra like summer season with contemporary berries.
However because it’s not processed in a water tub like common jam it have to be stored within the fridge or freezer.
Nova Scotian Drinks
Nova Scotians fall on the spectrum from teetotalers to rum drinkers. It merely displays our previous.
And right now we nonetheless drink quite a lot of tea and quite a lot of rum, however a couple of different drinks it is best to maintain a watch out for.
The Good Cheer Path is Nova Scotia’s vineyard, craft brewery, cidery and distillery path. It outlines 35+ nice spots to have a native drink in Nova Scotia.
Tidal Bay Wine
Nova Scotia’s appellation wine, you may solely develop it right here. It’s so common with locals that wineries don’t have sufficient to export a lot of it.
Nova Scotia is a more recent wine area however has actually advanced into defining what the area is all about. In 2012, Tidal Bay was launched because the wine of Nova Scotia.
It’s made by 11 wineries in Nova Scotia and whereas the flavour varies of every vineyard’s interpretation, it falls inside a spectrum. It’s a cool local weather white, which implies it’s fragrant, with nice acidity and pairs nicely with seafood.
Beep
For those who grew up in Nova Scotia, you drank beep as a child. It wasn’t 100% juice, however this sugar mixture of orange, pineapple, plum, apricot and prune was so scrumptious.
Why it was taken off the cabinets in 2010 is past me, however in all probability one of the best for the subsequent era.
Each every now and then they carry it again seasonally and all of us rejoice within the cavities we’ll get from it.
Cider
As an apple valley, cider is discovered in every single place but it surely’s not all the identical as it may be comprised of quite a lot of apples.
Spots like Elderkin’s farm market has tastings and we lastly have an alcoholic cider home in Wolfville.
Annapolis Cider Firm is a incredible spot to attempt a bunch of cider, but it surely’s greatest to go mid-day or throughout the week because it’s common sufficient for the second location (trace trace).
Tea
Linking again to our English/Irish/Scottish roots, many individuals drink tea in Nova Scotia.
There are many enjoyable tea outlets for afternoon tea. The Tangled Backyard Tea Room in Grand Pre with its classic china is gorgeous.
Though, actually we simply drink it in every single place, together with our properties.
What different Nova Scotia meals must be on this checklist? Depart your solutions within the feedback beneath!
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