Massachusetts’ Best Sandwich is a Delicious Choice

Every state has their own special sandwiches that either originated in that state or somehow rose to popularity in that state, and Massachusetts is no exception. There's a sense of pride behind these food items that, yes, you can perhaps find them in other states, but having one if this particular state makes them that much more special. So, what's the best one to try in Massachusetts? It's a beautiful classic.

The food experts at Taste of Home have put together a tally of the best sandwiches in every state. "One of the best things about the sandwich—aside from your first bite—is its versatility," they note in the piece. "It can be as simple as a PB&J, or you can put everything in your refrigerator on a ciabatta bun and create an epic mountain of sandwich goodness."

So, what's the best choice in Massachusetts? According to Taste of Home, for it's the Fluffernutter, which Taste of Home describes as "a white-bread sandwich with peanut butter and marshmallow fluff." They add that it's not just for kids, either. "About 10 years ago, the state legislature even devoted some time to arguing about whether this should be the state's official sandwich," they add. Why not?

Now that we know the region's best variety, let's look at the history of the legendary food item. Per In Mama's Kitchen, the first one "was made by the famous Rabbi, Hillel the Elder, who lived during the 1st century B.C" They add that Hillel the Elder was "a poor man, but a great scholar, he began the Passover custom of sandwiching a mixture of chopped nuts, apples, spices, and wine between two matzohs to eat with bitter herbs."

One of the most famous varieties of all time, if not the most famous, is the peanut butter and jelly one. As for the history of that delicious combination, per History, "The first known recipe for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich appeared in 1901 in ​​The Boston Cooking School Magazine of Culinary Science & Domestic Economics." They add that, "during the 1920s, companies began to mass-manufacture peanut butter in the United States and targeted children as potential new consumers." So, peanut better and jelly sandwiches became a regular for school lunches. As a vegetarian, I certainly enjoy a good P&B. There's something about eating it that makes you feel like a kid again in the best possible way.