New England Lobster Roll

“Lobstah Roll”

History of Lobster

When European settlers reached North America, lobsters were so abundant, they would wash ashore in piles up to 2 feet high. They were considered the poor man’s protein.

• Because they were so abundant and so cheap, lobsters were fed to prisoners, apprentices, and slaves.

• The first lobster pound was started in Vinalhaven, Maine, in 1876.

• During the 1880’s, lobster began to shed its negative reputation and gained a following among more affluent diners.

• Lobster was considered a delicacy by the time WWII began.(History. A Taste of Lobster History. 2011. Available At: http://www.history.com/news/a-taste-of-lobster-history)•

History of the Lobster Roll

• The first lobster roll was made at a restaurant named Perry’s in Milford, Connecticut as early as 1929. Once served, the popularity of the lobster roll spread up and down the Connecticut Coast. In Connecticut, a lobster roll served warm is called a “lobster roll.”

• The lobster roll served cold, throughout the rest of the northeast region, and the world is called a “lobster salad roll.” Service of the “lobster salad roll” began on the Eastern End of Long Island, New York in 1965, engineered by the Lobster Roll Restaurant.

• Wikipedia. Lobster Roll. 2015. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobster_roll

What is a Lobster Roll …………..

• “A traditional lobster roll is a sandwich filled with lobster meat soaked in butter and served on a steamed hot dog bun or similar roll, so that the opening is on the top rather than on the side. There are variations of this sandwich made in other parts of New England, which may contain diced celery or scallion, and mayonnaise. The sandwich may also contain lettuce, lemon juice, salt and black pepper. Traditional New England restaurants serve lobster rolls (made with butter, not mayonnaise) with potato chips or french fries on the side.”

• Wikipedia. Lobster Roll. 2015. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobster_roll

Traditional New England Lobster Roll with French Fries (Bing Photos)

Lobster Rolls Today…………………

• Lobster rolls today, are associated with the state of Maine but are also available at seafood restaurants in other New England states and on Eastern Long Island, where lobster fishing is popular.

• The McDonald’s restaurants in New England serve lobster rolls as a seasonal menu item, when lobster can be bought cheaply. It is called the “McLobster Roll.”

• Wikipedia. Lobster Roll. 2015. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobster_roll

My Booth Bay Harbor Vacation July 2002

I went to Maine for the first time to explore the beautiful coastline, learn about the history, and partake in New England cuisine. I walked the beaches, saw the Portland Headlight, ate New England “Clam Chowdah”, and had my first “Lobstah roll.” I was hooked ……

My First “Lobstah Roll” was in Portland, Maine

Maine Lobster Rolls

• “Lobster rolls prepared in Maine generally have several common characteristics: first, the roll itself is a "New England" or "Frankfurter" roll that is baked slightly differently from a standard hot dog roll, so the sides are flat and can be buttered on the outside and lightly grilled or toasted, and is split on the top instead of the side; second, the lobster meat in the roll is usually served cold, rather than warm or hot; third, there can be a very light spread of mayonnaise inside the bun or tossed with the meat before filling the roll, though usually do not have any other ingredients typical of the "lobster salad" variation in other parts of New England. The lobster meat is usually knuckle, claw, and tail meat chunks, with 4oz of meat ("1/4 pound") the common advertised serving size.”

• Wikipedia. Lobster Roll. 2015. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobster_roll

Lobster Rolls Everywhere….

My Hunt for the Perfect Lobster Roll

The New England Tradition Begins

Red’s Eats

After having my first lobster roll, I began to search for what I deemed to be the perfect one. My search for the perfect lobster roll started at Red’s Eats, which is located on U.S. Route 1 in Wiscasset, Maine. Red’s has been voted “best lobster roll” and is one of the most well- known and most written about restaurants in Maine. Red’s puts a pound of lobster in each roll.Wikipedia. Red’s Eats. 2013. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red%27s_Eats

And I Have Traveled Far……….

To Fenway Park in Boston, MA, in search of my perfect

traditional New England Lobster Roll

After All My Travels, I found My Favorite Place to Eat My Lobster Roll Is In My

Own Kitchen

The worst part is, you have to boil them first https://youtu.be/tuVz0TOehuk

How to Boil A Lobster

• Boiling Live Lobster

• Boiling lobster is the certainly easiest way to cook lobster and a great way to enjoy the flavor of a fresh live lobster.  The meat of a boiled lobster also pulls easily from the shell when cracked, making boiling an especially easy way to eat — as well as to cook — a fresh lobster.  Steaming lobster can result in somewhat more tender meat, though, so if you have the equipment (a steamer pot, or even just a rack that sits inside your large pot) you might considered steaming as well.

• It is best to boil a fresh lobster in seawater, but if that is not available, salted water works just fine; just add about two tablespoons of sea salt for each quart of water.

• The pot for boiling lobster should be large enough to completely submerged the lobster in the water.

• Bring the water to a full, rolling boil, and then place the lobster claws first into the water.  Cover the pot, and when the water begins to boil again, begin timing.

• Cooking times for boiled lobster:

• 1 pound lobster – boil 9 minutes

• 1-1/4 pound lobster – boil 10 minutes

• 1-1/2 pound lobster – boil 11 minutes

• 1-3/4 pound lobster – boil 12 minutes

• 2 pound lobster – boil 13-15 minutes

• 2-1/2 pound lobster – boil 15-20 minutes

• Courtesy of Maine Lobster Available At: http://maine-lobster.com/cooking/boiling-lobster

My Favorite Fenway Park Lobster Roll

• Fenway Lobster Roll Secrets for Next 100 Years

• While the recipe seems simple, there are some critical ingredients required to be able to reproduce the Fenway Lobster Roll at home.

• Abell starts with one fresh, hard shell, two-pound Maine lobster.  A female lobster is preferred. He cautions that all ingredients should be added sparingly so as not to overpower the delicate flavor of the lobster and the toasted bun. Here are the directions and ingredients to makes two lobster rolls.

• Ingredients:

• Two pound hard shell Maine lobster

• 2 tablespoons local farm market chives

• 1 teaspoon fresh chopped Tarragon

• 1 stalk chopped Celery

• Mayonnaise

• Sea Salt

• Two tablespoons fresh Vermont butter

• New England style hot dog buns with cut sides and open top (See next slide for directions)

Directions

• When cooked, remove the lobster and pierce the claws and tail shell with a large chef’s knife to allow water to drain.

• Pull the tail from the body. With the fingers on the underside of the tail shell, crack the shell, split it apart and remove the meat.  Slice the back of the tail meat and remove the intestinal vein from the tail and discard. Remove any Roe (eggs) and set aside.  Dunk the tail in cool water to wash.

• Next, crack the claws and knuckles with the chef’s knife. Remove the meat.

• Chop the lobster meat into chunks and place in a mixing bowl.

• Chop the local farm market chives and add to bowl

• Chop tarragon and add to bowl

• Add mayonnaise to taste

• Chop celery and add to bowl

• Add a touch of sea salt

• Heat griddle and melt two tablespoons fresh Vermont butter

• Toast until golden brown the  New England rolls on sides and bottom

• Fill rolls to overflowing with lobster mixture

• Serve immediately with a garnish of coleslaw on the side

• As an option, Roe may be added to softened butter and spread on roll.

• Lobster Fly. Fenway Park Celebrates 100 Years as We Search for the Perfect Fenway Park Lobster Roll. 2015. Available at: http://www.lobsters-online.com/lobsterfly/index.php/fenway-park-lobster-roll/

Eating a lobster roll brings back memories of the many pleasant experiences I had while traveling in New England.

Visiting family, walking the beach, waking up to the fog horns, seeing the lobster buoys in the bay and partaking in

New England cuisine. But most of all, it brings back memories of the charm and beauty one can only find in New England. It will always have a special place in my

heart.

When making homemade lobster rolls I have to substitute fresh rolls made locally, as I can not find a Maine roll in Oregon.

It can be difficult to find good fresh lobster. If you want the best, you have to pay to have it shipped from Maine. But it sure is worth it.

Resources

History. A Taste of Lobster History. 2011. Available At: http://www.history.com/news/a-taste-of-lobster-history

Wikipedia. Lobster Roll. 2015. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobster_roll

Wikipedia. Red’s Eats. 2013. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red%27s_Eats

Maine Lobster Available At: http://maine-lobster.com/cooking/boiling-lobster

Lobster Fly. Fenway Park Celebrates 100 Years as We Search for the Perfect Fenway Park Lobster Roll. 2015. Available at: http://www.lobsters-online.com/lobsterfly/index.php/fenway-park-lobster-roll/