Eat in All 50 States Without Leaving the Valley of the Sun: February 2016

Massachusetts, officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a New England state known for its significant Colonial history. In Boston, its capital, the Freedom Trail is a walking route of sites related to the American Revolution. The city is home to the Museum of Fine Arts and other world-class institutions. Its Red Sox baseball team plays at Fenway Park, and the Public Garden is known for its swan boats.

Massachusetts has played a significant historical, cultural, and commercial role in American history. Plymouth was the site of the first colony in New England, founded in 1620 by the Pilgrims, passengers of the Mayflower. Harvard University, founded in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. In 1692, the town of Salem and surrounding areas experienced one of America's most infamous cases of mass hysteria, the Salem witch trials.
Originally dependent on fishing, agriculture, and trade,Massachusetts was transformed into a manufacturing center during the Industrial Revolution.During the 20th century, Massachusetts' economy shifted from manufacturing to services.In the 21st century, Massachusetts is an international economic leader in life science, the finance industry, biotechnology, information technology, manufacturing, renewable energy, the defense industry, and maritime trade.
Massachusetts has all the geographical features of the other states, from skiing and fall foliage drives in the western Berkshire Mountains to the beaches of Cape Cod and vacation islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Boston (and its neighbor, Cambridge) is a world-class city of top-notch cultural and great food. Union Oyster House (1826) in Boston is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in America.
Coastal Massachusetts is known for its clams, haddock, and cranberries, and previously cod.Boston is known for, among other things, baked beans (hence the nickname "Beantown"), bulkie rolls, and various pastries. Hot roast beef sandwiches served with a sweet barbecue sauce and usually on an onion roll is popular in Boston's surrounding area. The North Shore area is locally known for its roast beef establishments, which slice tender roast beef extremely thin. Apples are grown commercially throughout the Commonwealth. Because of the landlocked, hilly terrain common plant foods in Massachusetts are similar to those of interior northern New England including potatoes, maple syrup,and wild blueberries. Dairy production is also prominent in this central and western area. Cuisine in western Massachusetts had similar immigrant influences as the coastal regions, though historically strong Eastern European populations instilled kielbasa (a kind of sausage central Europe) and pierogi (filled dumpling from Eastern Europe) as common dishes.
Clam chowder, occasionally referred to as Boston Clam Chowder in the Midwest is a Massachusetts no-brainer if there ever was. New England clam chowder is a milk or cream-based chowder, and is traditionally of a thicker consistency than other regional styles, commonly made with potatoes, onion, and clams. New England clam chowder is usually accompanied with oyster crackers. Crown Pilot Crackers were a popular brand of cracker to accompany chowder, until the product was discontinued in 2008. Crackers may be crushed and mixed into the soup for thickener, or used as a garnish. Primary variant styles of clam chowders aside the New England Clam Chowder is Manhattan clam chowder, Rhode Island clam chowder, New Jersey clam chowder, Delaware clam chowder, Hatteras clam chowder and Minorcan clam chowder.
A lighter, more flavorful broth lets the perfect marriage of sweet pork and slightly bitter clams shine, and The Salt Cellar, located in Scottsdale, AZ has mastered that matrimony. New England style seafood served in an intimate underground hideaway with seaside décor & a bar, The Salt Cellar serves its clam chowder made with chopped quahogs and tender potatoes.