A Guide to Classic Snacks in Newfoundland & Labrador
With place names like Bacon Cove, Garnish, and Dumpling Harbour, it's no secret that this place has an affinity towards culinary delights. But when it comes to snacking, Newfoundland & Labrador is more of a Hill O'Chips type of destination. Travellers near and far are often enthused, and sometimes perplexed, by the quintessential delicacies popular with locals. But when you're gut-foundered, you'll find there's nothing quite like a selection of Purity goods paired with a cool Pineapple Crush.
Whatever your flavour, we're sure you will enjoy this moreish selection of snacks, treats and go-to meals, on your next visit to Newfoundland & Labrador.
A local specialty! What are some other street or place names that make you hungry?
Posted by Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism on Friday, 28 August 2015
Refreshments
When it comes to snacks of the corner store variety, there are a number of popular go-tos. Hawkins Cheezies is a hit with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who turn to these aged cheddar treats when it's snack time. Whether it's a campsite or a social gathering, you're sure to find these tasty delights where people gather and relax. In fact, even some of the province's inns and B&Bs go so far to include these tasty treats in their mini bars and welcome baskets. Other popular local chip flavours include Roast Chicken and Nacho Crunchits.
Pineapple Crush is an off-kilter flavour made exclusively for Newfoundland & Labrador, and has been in the market for the last 50 years. This refreshment sets you apart as someone who appreciates the rarer things in life, because outside of this province, you will not find this distinctly flavoured beverage anywhere else. The same goes for Birch Beer and Purity Syrup, also local favourites.
Biscuits and Chocolate
The Jam Jam. These little gems have been making tea-time a special time for decades. A moreish treat if there ever was one, these jam filled cakes have a comforting effect that make it tough to eat just one. Purity goods are a must in gift baskets and care packages for those living outside the province in need of a little flavour from home.
If you're more of a chocolate lover, look no further than the province's own Newfoundland Chocolate Company. With a selection of treats aptly named after our province's various sayings, words, and slangs, you're bound to find your perfect match. If you're in the Bonavista peninsula, Aunt Sarah's Chocolate and Sweet Rock Ice Cream Shop are sure to delight. While originally from the UK, Caramel Logs and Snowballs are also popular in Newfoundland & Labrador.
Traditional Fare
Well, look what the tide dragged in. Capelin come rolling along our shores each year after spawning and have been known to attract a crowd. You can find beaches full of people waiting for the annual harvest in many places throughout the province. Among the many popular preparations of this delicacy is a pan fried variant craved by many as an appetite filling meal. This may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to snack foods, but around here, tradition states that we do snack time a little differently.
Comfort Food
Where do you begin to talk about perfection? The combination of hand cut potato fries, dressing (with savoury, of course), topped with gravy and a tart relish sauce makes this an unforgettable snack. To make things even better, the composition of this savoury snack varies throughout the province. In the western region of the province, you can expect chunks of hamburger meat mixed in, while in central region, they include deep fried hot dog pieces, locally known as a “mess”. Whatever the recipe, this is a comfort food crafted to satisfy the hungriest.
If you're at a beach boil-up or around a campfire, Vienna Sausages are bound to make an appearance. So much so, some locals adorn pins and hang prints of their favourite local snack.
Bread and Butter
The bread and butter of snacks in Newfoundland and Labrador, is well, bread and butter. There's perhaps nothing better than a slice of freshly baked bread paired with homemade berry jam, Fussel's cream, and a fresh cup of tea (with Carnation Milk or fresh milk depending on your taste). Lassy bread is another traditional snack food, featuring syrupy molasses poured over freshly made bread. And of course, no snack article would be complete without a reference to toutons - fried bread dough.
Hungry for more? Be sure to check out Five Foods You Must Experience in Newfoundland & Labrador or skip the snacks altogether and head to one of the many nationally awarded restaurants in Newfoundland & Labrador.
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