CULINARY & DINING 10 Ways to Eat Like a Marylander These variations on familiar favorites completely unique to Maryland will intrigue even the most seasoned culinary explorers. S BBQ BY HENRY HONG Steamed Crabs Perfectly spiced heat with a sweet, buttery finish . . . dig in to the best crabs you’ve ever tasted at a Maryland crab feast—it’s all about fun, flavor and socializing, and can be had just about anywhere in the state, including Deep Creek Seafood in Western Maryland. Smith Island Cake With up to 14 wafer-thin layers of delicate yellow cake, each covered in rich chocolate icing, the Smith Island Cake is the pinnacle of the confectioner’s art and Maryland’s official state dessert. Smith Island Baking Company is famous for its classic version. Soft-shell Crab Sandwich Traditionally floured, pan-fried and served whole on a roll with crisp lettuce and fresh tomato, soft shell crab sandwiches are a local delicacy. Crisfield Seafood in Potomac serves an elegant example of this seasonal dish. MARYLAND FOODIE FAVORITES Above: Soft-shell crab sandwich; Below: Smith Island Cake While Marylanders are proud of their traditional barbeques, pit-beef is the native staple. Savor lean-cut beef cooked over high heat, sliced thin right off the fire and served on a kaiser roll. (Many local stands also offer pit-ham and pit-turkey.) Pioneer Pit Beef in Catonsville makes some of the best. Snapping Turtle Soup Turtle soup is such a beloved tradition that the terrapin became the mascot of the University of Maryland. The hallmark of a perfect turtle soup is a dark aromatic broth with a rich, beefy flavor. Though now a rarity, Captain’s Ketch Seafood Market in Easton serves a fantastic bowl. shaved ice topped with flavored syrup—have been a Baltimore tradition since the early 1900s. Southern Maryland Stuffed Ham Whole ham scored with deep slits and stuffed with cayenne-spiked cabbage and greens is part of everyday life in Southern Maryland, and is done exceptionally well at St. Mary’s Landing Restaurant in Charlotte Hall. Tomato Sandwich When local tomatoes are perfectly ripe, thick slices are finished with salt, pepper and a dollop of mayo, then gently pressed into soft white bread to soak up the juices. Gertrude’s in Baltimore features them as a special. Coddies A truly authentic coddie, or codfish cake, like the one you’ll find at Shore Seafood in Baltimore’s Northeast Market, combines tender chunks of salt cod, mashed potatoes and cracker meal gently fried into a delicate cake. Snowballs Found everywhere from sidewalk tables set up in neighborhoods to established stands and even on high-end restaurant menus, Snowballs— PHOTO: ANNA ARAN Berger Cookie German immigrant Henry Berger created the Berger Cookie (no “s” when saying it) in Baltimore in 1835—a cakey cookie base topped with an extravagant amount of dark chocolate fudge, available in grocery and specialty shops throughout the state. ✥ DESTINATION MARYLAND ✥ 19
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2017: Page 19
