Cornwall is famous as the home of the Cornish Pasty
and of Clotted Cream and Scones but these foods traditionally associated
with Cornwall are just the tip of a very large iceberg. Cornwall
offers a wide range of cuisines with a complete cross section of
restaurants to suit every taste and every budget.
Cornish pubs with their homemade specialities; cafe-bars; pizzerias, fine
restaurants; and what nicer than sitting on a cliff with a spectacular
view eating traditional fish and chips, not just any fish but something
which was landed that morning and which has the taste to prove it.
Surrounded by the sea Cornwall is of course noted for its fresh seafood.
At Newlyn near Penzance there is a large fish market with a huge variety
of seafood. There are many excellent fish restaurants throughout Cornwall.
Cornwall has been associated with pilchard fishing
( known locally as seining) since the 18th Century and although this industry
is now know longer as prominent as in former times, pilchards landed
at Newlyn are salted and can be bought direct from the Pilchard Works
in the town. The Pilchard Works is the only such establishment working
in Britain today. The majority of pilchards salted here are
exported to Italy.
Local crab is a popular choice in many Cornish restaurants. Succulent
mussels from the Fowey River, cooked in wine and garlic sauce are another
great favourite.
Treat yourself to a fresh lobster salad or oysters dredged from
the River Fal and if you like the idea of trying one of the traditional
Cornish fish dishes which can be found in some restaurants, look out for
Star Gazy Pie, so named because the fish stare skywards from the pastry
crust in which they are baked.
Speciality shops, many of which are farm based, offer oak smoked seafood,
hams, turkey and a variety of other meats.
World renowned chefs have located themselves in Cornwall to be
close to the abundance of quality fresh local produce.
Many local farmers produce organically grown fruit and vegetables.
Mead, the honeymoon drink, is the favoured beverage in a number of Meaderies
throughout Cornwall. A variety of local wines including a large
range of traditional fruit wines such as elderberry, strawberry and blackberry
are also available. Cider is of course another local product and it is
possible to visit some cider farms to see it made and to sample the finished
product.
For those of you with a sweet tooth, Cornwall offers saffron buns, heavy
cake, Cornish cookies and the delight of freshly baked scones covered
with jam and delicious Cornish clotted cream.
Cornwall's dairy products, from its fresh milk and butter to its clotted
cream and ice cream produced on local farms gives you a quality and a
taste which you'll find difficult to match. Look out for locally
produced cheeses: Cornish Yarg; Old Smokey; and Cornish Brie.
Cornish Pasties, famous as the daily lunch for Cornish miners, traditionally
made with beef, turnip and potato, are now available with a diverse
variety of fillings including lamb, pork, cheese and vegetables. Local
bakeries produce their own combinations of fillings so it is worthwhile
trying a few during your visit and some bakeries even offer the option to buy a box of Cornish Pasties!
Cornwall is also home to cuisines from around the world with Thai,
Chinese, Indian, Italian, Greek, Spanish, French, Mexican and other speciality
restaurants.
So, don't worry, whether your taste is for a mouthwatering local speciality
or you can't live without your fast food burger and fries, Cornwall will
cater to your culinary needs.
