When it came to nostalgic foods, New Jersey’s top three were ranked as follows:
1. Boardwalk saltwater taffy
A box of saltwater taffy is one of those New Jersey Shore traditions that often comes home long after the beach day has ended. Wrapped in bright paper and sold in countless flavors, the chewy candy is easy to share, carry and save for the journey back. Its connection to boardwalk shops, amusement rides and seaside vacations gives it an appeal that goes beyond sweetness. One piece can bring back the noise, color and anticipation of a summer afternoon by the ocean.
2. Pork roll
Pork roll carries the comfort of a New Jersey breakfast or lunch that people tend to order exactly the way they remember it. Griddled until browned at the edges, it is often served in a sandwich with egg and cheese on a roll. Picked up from a diner, deli or shore-town counter, the meal can become part of a summer routine before the beach or during a road trip. Salty, filling and deeply local, it offers familiarity in its most straightforward form.
3. Jersey tomato sandwich
At the peak of summer, a ripe Jersey tomato needs little more than soft bread, mayonnaise and a pinch of salt. Thick, juicy slices make the sandwich both simple and unmistakably seasonal, especially when the tomatoes have come from a backyard garden or nearby farm stand. The bread may soften and the juice may escape, but neatness is hardly the point. It is a quick meal that can recall porch lunches, family kitchens and the particular satisfaction of eating produce at exactly the right time.
Photo credit: Shrivers Salt Water Taffy & Fudge Facebook
