Explore the amazing varieties of seafood in New England. Discover shrimp, lobster, scallops, clams and the freshest of haddock!
New England offers some of the freshest seafood! My fave places are the coast of Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
I haven’t posted in a while, but I’m back! After a 6 week visit to Central Massachusetts to visit with family and friends, I am now ready to share!
I absolutely love seafood! Apart from family and friends, the local New England seafood is on the top of the list of what I miss. Some of my favorite dishes include boiled lobster served with drawn butter, shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauce, baked haddock, baked scallops, steamed clams and clam chowder!
In one of my previous posts, I shared my New England Clam Chowda recipe. Have a look at the link below if you missed it ~
https://yankeebrit.blog/2023/02/25/new-england-clam-chowda/
For this post, let’s explore Shrimp Scampi ~ a true New England seafood delicacy!
Now, first, let me share that Scampi in England is not the same as Scampi in New England. On one of my first visits to England, in Poole, Dorset along the coast, my husband and I were out exploring the quay. We stopped on the way for a bite to eat and I noticed scampi on the menu. I thought “Yum, I’ll have me some of that!”
While scampi here in England is made from the langoustine, which is basically a shrimp or prawn, it is generally served in a batter, much like fried fish. And…yep, you got it..served with chips and generally peas!! I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t what I considered to be Shrimp Scampi, although it was very tasty!
Now, the Shrimp Scampi that I am accustomed to, being from New England, is large fresh shrimp, sautéed in plenty of garlic, and served over a bed of pasta, generally linguine or angel hair pasta. Sometimes the dish is enhanced by adding lobster meat, parmesan cheese, crushed black pepper or cherry tomatoes.
A few pics below of this New England seafood dish which I indulged in while on my last visit ~
(©amschotel)
When I create this amazing dish at home, I sauté some fresh garlic in a large skillet in garlic infused virgin olive oil. Once the garlic is tender, I then add the shrimp, along with a bit more infused olive oil. If you like a little kick to your dishes, add a little cajun seasoning to the shrimp while it is sautéing!
While you can used pre-cooked shrimp or raw, if you use raw shrimp, just ensure it is cooked thoroughly. You can tell the shrimp is cooked by the change in color from gray to orange, and the shrimp will curl into itself as in the pics above.
I then cook the pasta in a separate pot. Angel hair is generally my fave as it is thinner and doesn’t over power the flavor of the shrimp and garlic. Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, add the shrimp and olive oil mixture to the pasta. Then toss gently. Add fresh shaved parmesan and/or crushed black pepper on top. Enjoy!!!
What else can you do with New England shrimp?
How about a basic shrimp cocktail? In England, they prepare shrimp cocktail with a creamy, almost mayonnaise textured sauce. While delightful, the New England style cocktail sauce adds a bit of oomph for your taste buds. New England cocktail sauce is made with a tomato paste base, and horseradish, vinegar and lemon. Check out a few of the appetizers I indulged in below:
(©amschotel)
(©amschotel)
Lastly, let’s take a look at some scrumptious New England lobsters!
Again, so much can be done with lobster. There is lobster thermidore, baked lobster, lazy lobster, lobster mac and cheese…the list goes on. However, I prefer my lobster plain and simple. Boiled, served with drawn butter, and plenty of lobster!
On my last visit which was lasted about 6 weeks, I indulged in eating 8 lobsters! Some may say that’s overindulging ~
Have a look!
Triple lobsters at a restaurant local to my family in Central Massachusetts, cost approximately $42.00. Double lobsters in Maine, in York on the coast, cost about the same $42.00.
(©amschotel)
I can still taste them!!! Delish!
Moreover, what’s your fave? How do you like your lobster prepared? Do you prefer creamy cocktail sauce or one with a horseradish kick? Whatever your preference, indulge and explore New England seafood!
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