Taste and Tales of Massachusetts -

Celebrating 10 years and is as popular today as it was when first introduced. From Boston to the Berkshires, to the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, come a myriad of taste and three centuries of history. These marvelous foods are a result of the many nationalities, past and present, that call Massachusetts home. These include the English, Irish, Portuguese, Italians, Polish, French, Africans, Russians, Jewish and other Eastern Europeans, and in more recent years, Hispanics, Asians and Arabs. These many cultures are responsible for the variety of foods that are found across the Commonwealth.

“Sample Tales, Sample Tastes”

Title Town

When the first edition of this book was published only the New England Patriots had won a championship in recent memory and that was in 2001. Since then they won in 2003 and 2004 and in 2007 they had a perfect season 18-0 until losing in the Super Bowl, all under the guidance of quarterback Tom Brady. Red Sox Nation fans are among the most loyal in the country and pay the highest ticket price to see a baseball game, but since they have won two World Series, 2004, 2007 and 2013 they do not seem to mind. It is almost impossible to get a ticket. In 2008, the Boston Celtics won their first championship in 22 years. They won their 17^th pennant by beating the L.A. Lakers (of the Celtics’ 17 pennant wins, 8 of them have been against the Lakers). In 2011, the Boston Bruins beat the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup, its first since the glory days of the Bobby Orr 39 years ago. The four major teams of Boston have brought home 7 championships in 10 years and are the only sports franchises to accomplish this tremendous feat, hence the name “Title Town.”

Famous Firsts

So many firsts happened, and continue to happen, in Massachusetts. It only seems appropriate that they all began with the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Academically, the firsts include:

Harvard University, first American university (1636)
Boston Latin School, first American public school (1635)

Other firsts in America include:

Boston Commons, first public park (1634)
Boston Public Library, first public library (1653)
Arsenal at Springfield, first federal armory (1777
Boston News-Letter, first regularly issued newspaper (1704)
Mount Auburn Cemetery in Watertown and Cambridge, first landscaped cemetery (1831)

Turkey and Cranberry Panini

Ingredients:

4 thick slices of Italian bread
2 tablespoons whole-berry cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 chipotle chile canned in adobo* sauce, finely chopped
1 cup packed fresh baby spinach leaves
2 slices red onion
8 ounces sliced turkey
2 slices Monterey Jack
3 tablespoons butter or olive oil

Directions:

Stir cranberry sauce, mayonnaise and chipotle in small bowl until well mixed.
For each sandwich, spread one side of each slice of bread with cranberry mayonnaise mixture. Place half of the spinach, an onion slice, 4 ounces of turkey and a slice of cheese on bottom half of roll. Place top of roll on sandwich and flatten. Brush both sides of sandwiches with olive oil or butter.
Heat sandwiches in panini press according to manufacturer’s directions, or heat in a large skillet over medium heat just as you would cook a grilled cheese sandwich. To simulate the panini press, place a heavy pan or skillet on top of the sandwich as it browns in the pan and cook for 10 minutes, turning once or until sandwich is toasted and hot throughout.

Yields: 2 sandwiches

Cook Note: Found in the Mexican section of large grocery stores or in specialty Mexican supermarkets.

Mail Order

Download an order form here, complete, and mail along with your payment to the address below:
Bass Pond Pro
1305 S Branch Pkwy
Springfield, MA 01129

Phone Order

If you still prefer not to visit either our on-line store or our mail order process above, you may place your order over the phone by calling: 413-782-0924 OR send an email.