Vermont Shortbread Company

Vermont is known for its history of independent farms. It is also popular for its tough-minded and independent people who are always willing to tackle hard projects. Taming the land of rocky hills and forests, took a lot resolve. The food preferences that grew out of Vermont resourcefulness reflects upon that ethic.

Consequently, the food essentially came from the farms giving beef, dairy, cheeses, vegetables, and maple products. Vermont is the largest producer of Maple Products in the United States. There is no finer maple syrup to be found than that of Vermont.

Vermont conducts annually a statewide open house for Maple Venues. This is done to give people an opportunity to visit the myriads of sugar houses all throughout the state. People will be given the chance to watch how the maple syrups are being made. They can even taste and try all the products on pancakes, waffles, maple pastries and all of the other maple goodies that abound. There are also other goodies that make up Vermont traditional foods. These are as follows:

• Apples
• Brook trout
• Venison
• Honey
• Rhubarb pie
• Apple butter
• Chocolates

Chicken pie suppers are also a tradition in Vermont. Churches put them on to raise money for local causes of all kinds. The most famous of these occasions is held in Groton, Vermont every October. This event has been celebrated for over 50 years in Vermont.

This following recipe taken from “Yankee Magazine” gives you an idea of just how tasty a real chicken pie can be. You can also try cooking it for your whole family to enjoy.

Chicken Pie of Vermont

Ingredients:

• 1 whole dressed chicken (3 or 4 pounds)
• 3 quartered onions
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 1 16oz bag of frozen peas (fresh can be used if it’s in season)

Place the chicken into a pot full of water and cover it. Add onions, a few bay leaves, one teaspoon of salt and several peppercorns. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer gently for 15 minutes and then turn the heat off. Let the pot sit while still covered until it is cool, roughly for 3 or 4 hours.

Remove the skin and debone the chicken. Cut the meat into bite-size portions and lay them in a good sized casserole. Set aside. Then in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and make a thick paste by sprinkling 2 tablespoons of flour over it. Gradually add the broth, while continuing to whisk the mixture. Continue the process until it is thickened, but still pourable. Pour the mixture over the pieces of chicken in the casserole. Let it cool and then serve to your loved ones.

This is just an example of recipes in Vermont that have come down through the ages. Some of the best sources come from the recipe books of church members. Many of the churches over the years publish cookbooks as fund raisers. This is where you will find some of the best and tasty recipes of Vermont.

Most of Vermont foods are served in resorts and restaurants all throughout the land, matched with everything maple. Hearty meals like chicken, beef, venison and fish make up the primary meals. They are served with lots of good fresh vegetables. If you want to savour good food and recipes to match, Vermont is simply the best place to be.