There’s something special about New England food.
Some of it is nostalgic. Some of it is practical. A lot of it is tied to family traditions, regional brands, simple ingredients, and flavors people grew up with.
At Celladora Market, we love carrying specialty foods from New England alongside our imported pantry favorites. As a Massachusetts based family business, these products feel especially close to home.
If you’re looking for a few pantry staples with a little New England character, here are some favorites worth trying.
1. Trappist Preserves
If there are 2 Trappist flavors we’d recommend trying first, it’s Boysenberry Seedless Jam and Cranberry Conserve!
Both yummy fruit spreads are made by the Trappist monks at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts!
Boysenberry is a smooth, seedless jam that has a rich berry flavor that lands somewhere between blackberry and raspberry.
It’s also one of the most popular Trappist flavors we carry.
Try it with:
- Toast or English muffins
- Peanut butter sandwiches
- Brie or goat cheese
- Pancakes and waffles
- Yogurt or oatmeal
- A fall charcuterie board
Cranberry combines tart cranberry flavor with orange peel and raisins for a thicker, more textured spread than traditional cranberry sauce. Don't worry you won't even know the raisins are there!
It feels especially at home during fall and the holidays, but there’s no reason to keep it locked away until Thanksgiving.
Try it:
- With turkey sandwiches
- Over baked Brie
- With sharp cheddar
- On crackers with cream cheese
- As part of a holiday cheese board
- Alongside roasted chicken or pork
This is one of those jars that can go from breakfast to appetizers to dinner.
And yes, eating a spoonful straight from the jar is completely acceptable!
Check out all Trappist Preserves today!
2. St Ours Clam and Crab Broths
St. Ours Clam Broth and Crab Broth bring classic New England seafood flavor to the pantry in a convenient, easy-to-use form. The clam broth is perfect for chowders, soups, sauces, seafood pasta, and other coastal-inspired recipes, while the crab broth offers rich flavor made from invasive green crabs harvested from Massachusetts waters. Both are versatile pantry staples for anyone who loves New England cooking or wants an easy way to add deeper seafood flavor to everyday meals.
3. Christie’s Original Greek Dressing
Christie’s Original Greek Dressing is one of those regional favorites that has been part of New England kitchens for generations.
Its blend of herbs and spices makes it useful for much more than salad.
Try it as:
- A marinade for chicken
- A dressing for pasta salad
- A drizzle over roasted vegetables
- A dip for crusty bread
- A quick dressing for cucumber and tomato salad
It’s the kind of pantry bottle that makes an easy weeknight meal taste like you put in more effort than you actually did.
4. Christie's Zinfandel Vinaigrette
Christie's Zinfandel Vinaigrette is another one of those regional favorites that has been part of New England kitchens for generations.
Try it for:
- Signature salad creations
- Gourmet marinades
- Drizzling over meat
Christie's brings professional chef quality flavors to your home kitchen. The careful balance of wine, vinegar, and seasonings creates the same sophisticated taste you'd expect from fine dining establishments, making every meal feel like a special occasion.
5. Howard’s Sweet Pepper Relish
If you want to balance all of those sweet pantry favorites with something savory, Howard’s Sweet Pepper Relish is a great addition.
Its sweet and tangy flavor works well with grilled foods, sandwiches, cheese, and appetizers.
Try it:
- On burgers
- With hot dogs
- With sharp cheddar
- Over cream cheese with crackers
- On sandwiches
- Alongside grilled sausage
- On a charcuterie board
This is exactly the kind of condiment that can sit in the refrigerator and quietly become one of the most used jars in the house.
6. Howard’s Hot Pepper Relish
For anyone who likes a little more heat, Howard’s Hot Pepper Relish is another pantry favorite worth keeping on hand.
It brings a spicy, tangy kick to everything from sandwiches to snack boards.
Try it with:
- Cream cheese and crackers
- Cheddar
- Provolone
- Sausage
- Burgers
- Sandwiches
- Charcuterie boards
One of the easiest appetizers is simply cream cheese, crackers, and a spoonful of hot pepper relish.
7. Howard's Garlic and Onion Juices
Howard's Garlic and Howard's Onion Juice are both made in the USA with 3 simple ingredients! Perfectly balanced to give you a great tasting seasoning that you can add to any savory recipe. It’s also a gluten free food for anyone who’s eliminated that ingredient from their diet.
Try them for:
- Basting your next Thanksgiving Turkey
- Marinading chicken, meat or pork
- Seasoning vegetables
- Making homemade sauces
These concentrated juices are not only economical, they also save time by taking the place of slicing, dicing and chopping. Truly a product for meals in every season!
NOT FOUND IN STORES!
Build Your Own New England Pantry Night
One of the best ways to enjoy these foods is not individually, but together.
Put out a simple board with:
- Sharp cheddar
- Brie
- Trappist Boysenberry Seedless Jam
- Trappist Cranberry Conserve
- Howard’s Sweet Pepper Relish
- Howard’s Hot Pepper Relish
- Crackers
- Apples
- Walnuts
- Sliced bread
That gives you a mix of sweet, savory, creamy, tangy, fruity and spicy flavors.
For a casual fall night, add apple cider. For a holiday gathering, serve it with wine, sparkling cider, or your favorite non alcoholic drink.
Why We Love New England Specialty Foods
The best regional foods usually have a story behind them.
They’re the products people remember seeing at family gatherings, local markets, neighborhood restaurants, or in their grandparents’ pantry.
That history is a big part of why Celladora Market enjoys carrying New England favorites. As a Massachusetts based family business, we’re especially proud to feature products from the region alongside the Italian, Portuguese, Mediterranean, and specialty foods we love from elsewhere.
And the best part....You don’t need to live in New England to enjoy them.
Bring a Taste of New England Home
Whether you’re shopping for nostalgic favorites, building a gift basket, planning a cheese board, or simply looking for something new to try, New England specialty foods are a fun way to add a little regional character to your pantry.
Explore Celladora Market for Trappist Preserves, Christie’s dressings, Howard Foods relishes and juices, specialty condiments, pantry staples, and other carefully selected foods shipped from our Massachusetts family business.
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