Maine Lakefront Real Estate Buyers – “Eating the Maine Way”
March 22nd, 2008 categories: Observations and Commentary
House hunting for a lakefront home is hard work. One can certainly work up a hearty appetite by around lunch time. Resist the temptation to indulge in another burger or salad. Be adventurous!! Eat like a Mainer.
“Italians” – Folks “from away” are often startled when they see road signs outside convenience stores that read ” 3 Italians – $5.95 “. Let me assure you that no funny business is going on here. An “italian” here in Maine is an italian sandwich that is uniquely a Maine invention. An “italian” is not a submarine sandwich. Nor is it a grinder, po’boy, hero, or hoagie. Sometime around 1903 in Portland, Giovanni Amato added meat, cheese and fresh vegetables to his soft baked rolls and a Maine classic was born.
You will find an “italian” free of lettuce, mayonaise or mustard. An italian is made of boiled ham, american cheese, chopped onion, tomato, green pepper, thinly sliced sour pickle and black or green olives. Oh, and salt, pepper and oil.
Italians are cheap which accounts for part of their popularity. But they taste great. You can always get one at Amato’s still today. But most hole in the wall convenient stores have good ones too.
I must warn you these italians are as addictive and delicious as Sophia Loren so consider yourself warned!!!!
“Jordan’s Red Dogs” - I was about 6 or 7 years old when I stumbled into Boody’s General Store in North Windham and saw Jordan’s Red Hot Dogs for the first time. They were behind the meat counter in the refrigerated case. These hot dogs were bright red! Back in 1895 Jordan’s Meats in Portland decided to differentiate their Hot Dogs from their competitors and dyed the casings of their hot dogs bright red. Although they taste somewhat like hot dogs found in the other 49 states they are served and prepared a bit differently.
Jordan’s Red Dogs are NEVER boiled or heaven forbid nuked in a microwave. They are steamed or grilled. However, one mustn’t ever allow the casings to split. If prepared properly the red casing should snap when you take a bite. Mainers always order 2 red dogs. You will surely identify yourself as a person from away if you only order one. I like them best with mustard and Cain’s relish. HOLD the ketchup!
“Whoopie Pies” – The Chocolate Whoopie Pie can be found throughout the State of Maine in every convenience store. It is the diet breaker of choice. Whoopie Pies are now made by many a baker throughout Maine. But I still prefer those from the originator. Since 1925, Labadie’s Bakery in Lewiston have been baking up a wide assortment of whoopie pies. I like the original Chocolate with vanilla filling.Whoopie Pies are available in different sizes – 5″, 12″ and a 16″. If you’re presently dieting you must throw caution to the wind and try this wonderful confection.
This is just a sample of the culinary delights found here in every day Maine. Make sure you sample them on your next house hunting trip.
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Tom - MrLakefront
[...] lazily turning in the hot food container. A bit dissapointed that I would not be enjoying two red dogs with chili, I ordered the next best thing – a slice of [...]
Thanks for that! My aunt recently harvested a garden full of tomatoes , and I find myself the owner of two or five buckets worth! Of course I couldnt eat them all, but I did find a website full of tons more tomato recipes there. A website dedicated the topic!! Crazy what you can find on the internets these days!!