Many states are commonly associated with their foods. Maryland is best known for the blue crab, the bountiful delicacy of the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland agriculture also plays a key role in the health of the state's economy, environment and quality of life. There are more than 12,800 farms in Maryland providing a wide variety of fresh, nutritious foods that are available locally. Following is a guide to the specialty foods of the region.
Maryland Crabs
Photo © Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau
Blue Crabs have been caught commercially in the Chesapeake Bay area since the mid 1800s. They are plentiful from late spring through fall. Crab is a favorite Maryland food and is prepared in many ways - steamed or sautéed (soft shells), as crab cakes and crab imperial, or in crab soup and crab dip.
Related Information
Crab Restaurants in the Washington DC Area
Video - How to Eat a Maryland Crab
Related Information
Oysters
Photo © Getty Images
Oysters are harvested wild from the Chesapeake Bay or cultured in tributaries. They can be used in a variety of recipes from soups and chowders, and even eaten raw on the half shell. Oysters are at their best during the months whose names contain an “R.” During the summer their quality is poor because they have just finished spawning.
Related Information
Seafood Restaurants in the Washington DC Area
Related Information
Seafood Restaurants in the Washington DC Area
Old Bay Seasoning
Photo © Rachel Cooper
Old Bay Seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices produced in Maryland by McCormick & Company. The seafood seasoning mix includes mustard, paprika, celery seed, bay leaf, both black and red pepper, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, salt, mace and ginger. Although is most popular for seasoning seafood, Old Bay is used to spice up a variety of foods including, french fries, fried chicken, hamburgers, dips, vegetables and more.
Manufactures Website
www.oldbay.com
Manufactures Website
www.oldbay.com
Maryland Produce
Photo © Rachel Cooper
Maryland farmers grow a variety of fruits and vegetables. Below is a list of typical Maryland products.
Apples, Apricots, Arugula, Asian Pears, Asparagus, Beets, Blackberries, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Boysenberries, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Cherries, Collards, Cucumbers, Currants, Daikon, Edamame, Soybeans, Eggplant, Endive, Grapes, Green Beans, Green Onions, Green Peppers, Hot Peppers, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Lima Beans, Melons, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Nectarines, Okra, Onions, Parsnips, Peaches, Pears, Peas, Persimmons, Plums, Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Rutabagas, Salad Greens, Shallots, Spinach, Sprouts, Squash, Strawberries, Sweet Corn, Sweet Peppers, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watermelons, Zucchini
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Maryland Farmers Markets
Pick Your Own Farms in Maryland
Apples, Apricots, Arugula, Asian Pears, Asparagus, Beets, Blackberries, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Boysenberries, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Cherries, Collards, Cucumbers, Currants, Daikon, Edamame, Soybeans, Eggplant, Endive, Grapes, Green Beans, Green Onions, Green Peppers, Hot Peppers, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Lima Beans, Melons, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Nectarines, Okra, Onions, Parsnips, Peaches, Pears, Peas, Persimmons, Plums, Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Rutabagas, Salad Greens, Shallots, Spinach, Sprouts, Squash, Strawberries, Sweet Corn, Sweet Peppers, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watermelons, Zucchini
Related Information
Maryland Farmers Markets
Pick Your Own Farms in Maryland
Maryland Chicken
Photo © Lew Robertson
The Maryland Eastern Shore is home to many chicken farms. Did you know that one of the most famous Perdue Farms is located in Maryland? Privately held and family-run for three generations, the company employs more than 21,000 associates and partners with 2,200 independent farm families. See a list of poultry farms in Maryland.
Smith Island Cake
Photo © Laureen Brunelli
Known as the “official state dessert” of Maryland, Smith Island Cake contains several thin layers of yellow cake with rich chocolate fudge icing in between. The origin of the cake is unknown but it dates back to the 1600s and the early settlement of Smith Island, Maryland’s only inhabited island in the Chesapeake Bay. You can order them online from the Original Smith Island Cake Company or the Smith Island Baking Company.
