May 12, 2016
Yankee Indian Pudding | Roadfood Bests
Indian pudding is vintage New England comfort food: slow-cooked cornmeal and molasses that smells like caramelized roasted sweet corn.
Indian pudding is one of New England’s fundamental comfort foods. Despite its name, it is not a native American dish adapted by colonist cooks. Early settlers considered just about anything made with corn to be Indian in nature. In its most primitive form – beaten corn, boiled with milk — it kept the Pilgrims alive; and as the first adaptation of an English recipe (for wheat meal and milk, known as Hasty Pudding), it signifies nothing less than the beginning of American cookery.
Its fundamental mixture of corn meal and molasses tastes like history, as basic a foodstuff as bread itself. An extremely long cooking time – up to 10 hours – is necessary to soften the corn and for the flavors to meld; and although some restaurants add raisins or other flavorings, the only traditional add-on is a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting fast atop each hot serving.
Indian pudding usually is served as dessert by the steaming bowlful; but, like apple pie, it can be found serving double-duty in town cafes, where it becomes breakfast porridge. The greatest version ever used to be made at Boston’s Durgin-Park, which closed in 2019. But you can count on these four Yankee eateries to serve it right.
Maine Diner
The Maine Diner is one of America's best, featuring exemplary Downeast dishes such as lobster pie and seafood chowder, also classic blue-plate specials.
Cole Farms
Maine's Cole Farms restaurant serves classic Yankee fare, from muffins to boiled dinner to old-fashioned Indian pudding, but now has a modern pub menu, too.
Aunt Carrie’s
Aunt Carrie's, at Point Judith on the ocean, remains one of the few restaurants in Rhode Island that still serves a full shore dinner.
May 12, 2016
Discuss
What do you think of Yankee Indian Pudding | Roadfood Bests?
Related Articles
6 best restaurants in New England
Looking for some stops along your Road trip Check out our picks for the 6 best restaurants...
14 Best Lobster Rolls in New England
Bad lobster rolls are easy to come by We've done the research and have found the best...
Best Affordable Eats Along Sedona’s Red Rock Drive
Scenic Driving and Good Eating Rising an average of an inch every 60 to 80 years, the...
Road trip | Seattle to Yakima Washington
Road Trip Overview A road trip over the Cascades through Snoqualmie Pass leads not only to a...
The Best Hidden Gem Restaurants of Boston | Roadfood Bests
Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Boston Tradition-bound and cutting edge, Boston has...
Authentic Local Eats, Vegas to Palm Springs | Roadfood Bests
Road Trip Overview This 55 hour road trip will take you over 312 miles from the fast paced...