Cuisine of Vermont facts for kids

The Cuisine of Vermont is the special way people in Vermont cook and eat. It's a big part of the cuisine of New England, which is how people eat in the northeastern part of the United States. Vermont's food traditions are often linked to its farms and natural resources.

Mealtime Traditions in Vermont

For a long time, many families in Vermont, especially those living on farms, would eat their main meal, called "dinner," at noon. This was because farmers woke up very early and worked hard all morning. A big meal at midday gave them energy to keep working through the afternoon.

However, in bigger towns, where people often worked in offices instead of on farms, meal times changed. Like many other places, people started eating a lighter lunch and a larger "dinner" in the evening. This fits better with a typical workday in a town.

What Makes Vermont Food Special?

Vermont is famous for many delicious foods, often made from local ingredients.

Classic Vermont Breakfasts

A typical Vermont breakfast often includes warm griddle cakes (also known as pancakes). These are usually topped with plenty of sweet maple syrup, which is made right in Vermont! Often, a side of tasty sausage is served with the pancakes.

Preserving Food

In the past, and even today, many people in Vermont would preserve fruits and vegetables. They would make different kinds of pickles using things like peaches, apples, and even lemons. This was a great way to make sure food lasted through the colder months.

Vermont's Famous Cheese

Vermont is very well known for its delicious local cheeses. For a long time, dairy farms (farms that raise cows for milk) were a huge part of Vermont's economy. In 1983, about 79% of all farm money in the state came from dairy. By 1995, this was still a big part, making up almost 70% of farm profits. Vermont's cheese makers create many unique and tasty cheeses.

Wild and Local Foods

Vermont's natural environment provides many special ingredients:

• Blueberries grow wild in the woods all over Vermont. Many farms also grow them. These berries are popular for pies, jams, and just eating fresh.
• Fiddleheads are a unique spring vegetable. They are the young, curled-up shoots of a type of fern. People gather them seasonally along streams and riverbanks. You can sauté them, pickle them, or use them in creative new dishes.

Lamb Dishes

You might find lamb dishes more often in Vermont than in some other parts of the country. Some local farmers in Vermont still raise lambs for their meat. This means fresh, local lamb is available for cooking.