"plymouth" news and stories

Scanned from Cooking and Traveling the Cape Cod Way (1953)

Forefather's Day isn't celebrated until tomorrow, but I'm posting this in anticipation of the East Coast's wintry mix blowing up the collective skirt of many folks' salt pork acquisition schedules. I'm a huge sucker for dishes made expressly in observance of regionally significant holidays and events -- especially so when the tenor of the recipe matches the spirit of the occasion. In New Orleans at Mardi Gras, it's all wild-hued, cream-slathered King Cake. On a chilly Christmas Eve in North Carolina, there is sweet, hot Moravian Love Feast coffee, and light potatoey buns, made to be split and shared.

It seems appropriate that a feast in commemoration of the Pilgrims' arrival in a bitter and bleak new terrain would involve some rather hardscrabble fare -- sustenance and utility, rather than sybaritic excess. Then again, I could be projecting 'cause I've never met a succotash I've really liked. Should I be able to get my frozen paws on some pea beans within the next 24 hours, I'll give this one a go.

If you should decide to do the same, please let us all know how it goes in the comments below. All I ask is that you remember to pay for the corn.

Plymouth Gin made in Plymouth, England is bottled at 82 proof/41.2% abv and is distilled in the Black Friars Distillery, the oldest working distillery in England. The name and style are protected and Plymouth is the only brand that can call itself a Plymouth style gin. I think that Plymouth is one of the best gins out there. I am usually into aromatic gins full of big botanicals and juniper, Plymouth doesn't have that great, big slam of some other gins but is light, exceptionally smooth, creamy, and subtle with little bite. Probably in part due to the extremely soft Dartmouth water used in the distillation process. It has a hint of sweetness and the seven botanicals give it a fruity note with a big aroma, but it's also crisp and dry. It's hard to describe, but very nice. It's what I consider to have the classic gin taste. Interestingly enough Plymouth is the gin specified in the original dry martini. Plymouth also makes a higher strength version at 114 proof/57% abv called "Navy Strength" as well as some other products but I haven't tried them yet.

As a side note: I originally heard about this gin in John H. McDonald's mystery books on Travis McGee where Travis the hero is known to have ice cold mugs of Plymouth on the rocks as the way to end a perfect day. After the fabulous description I had to search Plymouth out to try it and I recommend McDonald's excellent books as much as I do Plymouth gin.