New Ethnic Culinary Adventures in Novia Scotia

New opportunities to “sip, savor, and sightsee” in 2019 incorporate experiences for active and adventurous travelers throughout Nova Scotia.   Producing a quarter of Canada’s seafood and boasting a billion-plus dollar fish and seafood export industry annually, Nova Scotia offers a multitude of diverse signature culinary experiences along its 4,500 miles of coastline.  This is Nova Scotia, a vaguely lobster-shaped peninsula that juts, with its surrounding islands, east out into the Atlantic, one time zone farther than the rest of Canada’s east coast. It is becoming well known for its African-Americas cuisine and always had for being the origins of New Orleans soul food (see links below for articles).

Halifax is home to the oldest farmers market in North America and has the notable distinction of having more pubs per capita than any other province in Canada among its many culinary charms. And, Nova Scotia is now closer to more U.S. travelers with new non-stop service to the capital city of Halifax from Chicago and Philadelphia beginning in June 2019, adding to the direct flights currently offered out of New York City and Boston.  

Highlights include A Distillery Tour on Foot and by Boat offered Old Town Lunenburg UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to artisan distilleries with award-winning rum, colorful architecture, and traditional foods. Here, on foot and by boat travelers can explore the waterfront of the historic town. The Lunenburg Distilled: Culinary Adventure takes guests on a walking tour with an eighth generation Lunenburger to Ironworks Distillery, the first artisan distillery in the province. Listeners will gain insight on creating spirits and liqueurs from scratch. Afterwards, a boat tour with Heritage Fishing Tours drops visitors at an exclusive Dory Shop to sample traditional foods from the region. The tour ends with a seafood dinner onboard the Teresea D. Conner, a historic schooner from the Lunenburg waterfront. Price is $395 CAD per person. Dates available: June 19, July 14, August 21, and September 25.Acadian Kitchen Party

Argyler Lodge – Lower Argyle

Special dinner featuring authentic stories of local Acadians through food and music, from early days of French Acadie to connections with Cajun cousins in Louisiana to seafaring joie-de-vivre. Then join locals in a seaside kitchen party and try to play the spoons!  Contact: 902-643-2500

• Four-course dinner featuring Acadian stories through local seafood and specialties, paired with NS wine
• Hear authentic Acadian tales from the area
• Dance to local Acadian music
• Play the spoons and keep rhythm with the band
• Experience takes place at Argyler Lodge’s oceanfront property on Lobster Bay

  Smoked Haddock & Corn Chowder – Provided by: Argyle Lodge & Restaurant

• 4 oz raw bacon, diced
• 1 small onion, small diced
• 1  leek, split in half lengthwise and thinly sliced
• 1 large Russet potato, small diced
• 1 quart fish stock
• 1 lb smoked haddock, dice in 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned or frozen)
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 3 tbsp potato flakes
• 1 bunch green onion, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• For garnish crispy bacon
• To taste salt & pepper

Directions:  (Serves: 4-8 people)

Cook bacon until some fat is rendered. Add onion and cook in bacon fat until translucent.  Add leeks and cook for one minute, then add potatoes and fish stock.  Simmer until potatoes are almost cooked through, then add smoked haddock, corn and cream.  Bring to a simmer, and thicken with potato flakes to desired consistency.   Season with salt and pepper.  Ladle into cup or bowl, and garnish with crispy bacon bits and green onion.