Traditional Newfoundland Food
Where to Find Brewis, Jigs Dinner, Lassy Mogs, Figgy Duff and More
There's no better way to experience Newfoundland than by sampling the island's traditional foods, and there are some delicious and interesting items on the menu.
If you’ve never had a good old Newfoundland scoff, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Newfoundlanders are known for their ability to cook up a storm, and they serve up dishes as interesting as the land from which they come.
Pan-Fried Cod, Brewis, Britches and Cod Tongues
Not surprisingly, much of the traditional Newfoundland cuisine includes fish. The codfish is king here, so while all other seafood is named accordingly, if you see the word 'fish' on the menu, it’s codfish they’re talking about. You’ll find pan-fried cod served just about everywhere. Filleted, dipped in milk and flour, and browned in a skillet of pork fat, this dish is a must-try.
Fish and brewis is another popular seafood dish. Brewis is hard tack, softened by cooking in pork fat along with the cod. The best part of this dish is the scrunchions, which are small, crunchy pieces of fat-back pork. They’re extremely tasty, and they make this meal. Fish and brewis can frequently be found on café and restaurant menus.
As befits a people historically plagued by hardship, nothing goes to waste here. Cod tongues and cheeks are delicacies prepared similarly to the fish itself, while britches, named for their resemblance to a pair of baggy pants, are the roe of the codfish, cooked and served in the original packaging—the caviar of Newfoundland. Cod tongues are sold in grocery stores and served occasionally at restaurants. You may have to score a private invitation for a feed of britches.
Moose Meat, Jigs Dinner and Blue Potatoes
Moose are not native to the island, but now number in the hundreds of thousands, and moose meat has become a staple of the Newfoundland diet. It comes fried, baked, boiled, stewed and bottled, as honey garlic sausages, and even as burgers. However it’s prepared, it’s a meat-eater’s delight and is often to be had at special events. Ask around.
Every visitor should try a jigs dinner; it’s a feast of salt beef and boiled vegetables, and a true Newfoundland culinary tradition. It’s usually served with pease pudding—yellow spilt peas boiled to a paste in a linen sack. It’s generally available at least one day a week in local eating establishments. Note: If the potatoes look a little blue, it’s because they are; the blue potato is a delicious variety common to Newfoundland.
Jam-Jams, Lassy Mogs, Bakeapples and Figgy Duff
Baked goods abound in Newfoundland, and a cup of tea—an inherited British tradition enjoyed at any hour—isn’t complete without an offering of sweets. At the grocery store or at a kitchen table, you’ll be tempted by the lassy mogs and jam-jams, cookies made with molasses and homemade jam respectively.
Bakeapples, a.k.a. bog-apples or cloudberries, are the amber-colored berries of a low-growing plant found in Newfoundland bogs. They’re a rare treat, popular as jam or with sugar and cream, and can often be purchased at farmer’s markets or souvenir outlets.
Around the holidays, company may be treated to Newfoundland trifle. Like many of the traditional foods here, trifle has its roots in English cuisine. It consists of cake soaked in wine, mixed with fruit and covered with custard and thick cream. It’s a heavy dessert, but definitely not one to pass up.
There are no figs in figgy duff. Another food of English origin, figgy duff is a raisin pudding made from bread boiled in a pudding bag with raisins, spices and molasses. It’s the classic finale to a Christmas or jigs dinner.
Finding More Traditional Newfoundland Food
There are many other unique culinary delights to discover during your visit to Newfoundland, such as capelin sandwiches, rabbit pie and homemade pease soup with dumplings. Check restaurant menus for a ‘taste of Newfoundland’ section. Cafes and other small establishments often feature traditional dishes on a daily special board, and there are many eateries that focus on unique local cuisine.
