New Jersey

These recipes showcase just some of the foods that New Jersey is famous for. “The Garden State” was one of the 13 original colonies and near and dear to my heart since I lived there in my 20’s! I may not be a New Jersey native, but it will forever have a piece of my heart.

New Jersey is known as the “Diner Capital of the World” and was home to the first game of baseball, which was played in Hoboken in 1846. It’s also where Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb in 1879.

Some of the most iconic foods with New Jersey roots are disco fries (a diner take on poutine) and Italian hot dogs (so good – please try these!). But you’ll also find lots of Italian favorites like cannoli and baked ziti. Other popular New Jersey foods are salt water taffy, grinders (or hoagies or subs, depending on where you are from), pork roll, and tomato pie.

A spoonful of baked ziti being lifted out of the pan.