#Capital island foods nj series#

But in the 1800s persistent farmers found a way to harvest bountiful crops in The Pine Barrens’ harsh environment. In fact, it was nicknamed “The Pine Barrens” by settlers who deemed the area’s sandy soil too acidic and porous to sustain traditional European agriculture. Up until that point in history, this 1.1 million acre forest of evergreen trees in South Jersey was considered infertile. If you think it sounds bizarre starting a farm in a place with the word “barren” in its name, you’re not alone. Photo courtesy of A cranbery bog in The Pine Barrens.

#Capital island foods nj series#

Rather, it was used in a series of newspaper listings advertising farming opportunities in one of New Jersey’s most misunderstood regions – The Pine Barrens. The phrase actually appeared 15 years earlier in a South Jersey newspaper called the Camden Democrat and it wasn’t originally used to describe the entire state of New Jersey. But history has a funny way of romanticizing itself.

The legend goes that during the 1876 World’s Fair in Philadelphia, Attorney General Abraham Browning called New Jersey “The Garden State,' and the nickname stuck. 33, or Papa's Tomato Pies, 19 Robbinsville Allentown Road (both are in Robbinsville).Most people don’t think of New Jersey as the world capital of anything aside from fist pumping and 'bada bing-ing.” But if you look beyond the New Jersey Turnpike, past the smokestacks, strip malls, business parks and cookie cutter houses, you’ll see why the so-called “Armpit of America” goes by another name: “The Garden State”. Try one here: De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies, 2530 Rt. Here, the pizza is built a bit differently: first comes the thinly stretched dough, followed by crushed garlic, then grated mozzarella, followed by tomato sauce (made from imported Italian tomatoes) and toppings. Home to two of the most renowned tomato pie restaurants, the Trenton region is a great place to have a slice.

Choose from traditional flavors like chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and peanut butter, or go for something wild like white cranberry, spicy pumpkin, mango and sea salt caramel. It got its name after an Atlantic City candy shop owner’s taffy was soaked in salt water during a flood. Have you ever wondered: what is salt water taffy? Well, it’s mostly a mix of sugar, cornstarch and corn syrup-no, the ingredients do not actually include salt water-and in New Jersey, it’s been a longtime tradition along the boardwalks. Created by John Taylor back in 1856, this pork-based meat product is typically sliced and pan-fried or grilled, then used in a breakfast sandwich with eggs and cheese (but it’s not limited to breakfast-we’ve seen it used in everything from burgers to ice cream!). This might be New Jersey’s most iconic food. Try one here: Manny's Texas Weiners, 2580 Springfield Ave., Vauxhall, NJ These sauce-slathered hot dogs have nothing to do with Texas-they originated in Paterson, New Jersey, where the hot dog was deep-fried and smothered in a Greek meat sauce (think: something resembling chili). Try one here: Rutt’s Hut, 417 River Rd., Clifton, NJ Be sure to top your ripper with their famous relish, made with a top-secret blend of mustard and spices. Try one here: Jimmy Buff’s, 506 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ and 60 Washington St., West Orange, NJĪfter being deep-fried in hot oil, these classic dogs rip open on the ends (hence the name), or at the very least, blister to a slightly crunchy, firm texture. These signature hot dogs are fried in oil, served on Italian “pizza” bread and topped with sautéed onions, peppers and potatoes. Like a sandwich on overdrive, these hoagies (or subs, as they’re known in some parts of the state) are piled high with meats such as capicola, prosciutto and soppressata, as well cheeses, tomatoes, onions, peppers, herbs, oils and more.