Indian Pudding

[lauraww]

Hi all,
I'm writing a story for Saveur Magazine on Indian Pudding. What are the best places to get it in Boston? Is Durgin Park still considered the gold standard? Is there a local place you go to get Indian Pudding?
Also, do you like Indian Pudding? If so, why? If not, why not (e.g., the color, the texture, etc.).
What's the reaction of people from outside New England to Indian Pudding?
Is it a family tradition for you and do you make it at home or have a special place to eat it?
Why has Indian Pudding not become popular in the rest of the country?
Is Indian Pudding as popular as it once was and if not, why not?
Thanks so much.
Laura Weiss

[CapeCodGuy]

My brother was the chef for several years in the 70s at The Hasty Pudding Club at Harvard and of course, he had to make literally gallons of the stuff on a nightly basis. I loved it with vanilla ice cream, but needless to say, he can no longer stand the stuff! The recipe he used was over 300 years old if I recall. Perhaps if you contacted the club about your article, they would let you in for a taste?

[joaniebaby]

IMO, the best Indian pudding is at the Student Prince in Springfield Ma. The only other on that gives it a run for the money is at the Deerfield Inn in Deefield Ma. The cornmeal/molasses combo is just a NE tradition. That's why we love anadama bread too!

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Deerfield Inn
81 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA 01342

Student Prince Cafe
8 Fort St, Springfield, MA 01103

[Allstonian]

I'll vouch for the Indian pudding at the Student Prince as well - just had it yesterday, as a matter of fact! It could have stood to be just a little bit warmer, but it was clearly made in-house and quite delicious.

[Bostonians please note - there are currently TWO threads about Indian pudding on this board - this one had originally been posted to the Southern New England board, but the mods moved it here for some reason.]

[Afar]

The Sagamore Inn, route 6A, Bourne, always had Indian Pudding and Bread Pudding. However, ownership has changed and I've not been for a while. Link to there website does not offer desert options but you can call: http://www.sagamoreinncapecod.com/ind...

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Sagamore Inn
1131 Sandwich Rd, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

[Lexma90]

I'm not sure why, but I think the liking for Indian pudding is a regional thing. I first tried it when we lived in Boston about 20 years ago, liked it then, and still like it. I make it occasionally now (living in Denver), but I'm really the only one in the family who eats it.

I like most foods made with molasses, which I think is an acquired taste that not everyone has. Same thing with cornmeal, really. It's just not something that a lot of people cook with. But I love most "comfort" desserts, like bread pudding (even before it was "in"), custards, etc. I like the stronger flavor of molasses and the pudding-like texture. And I like grits, too.

[ciclista]

Oh yeah, The Publick House in Sturbridge MA has a good Indian Puding, too.

[juli5122]

I am from Maine, but Indian pudding is my Mom's favorite and it always reminds me of her and Maine. In Gray, ME there is a place called Cole Farms that has the best Indian Pudding. I find most people have never heard of Indian Pudding outside of New England. I like it, but I do find molasses is a very strong taste and people seem to love it or hate it. It was popular when my mom was little as there were sugar rations and it was a dessert that translated from sugar molasses very well.
I know you were looking for Boston but I couldn't resist. Look forward to reading the article. Good Luck
Juli

[trufflehound]

I love the IP ice cream at Rota Spring Farm in Sterling. Not sure if they make it there.

[junescook]

It's a regular on the menu of the Curtis House in Woodbury, CT.

http://www.curtishouseinn.com/

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Curtis House
506 Main St S, Woodbury, CT 06798

[Joltingjoey]

The Colonial Inn in beautiful downtown Concord has excellent Indian Pudding.
I probably had my first taste at Durgin Park when we lived in Boston for one year in 1969-70.

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Colonial Inn
48 Monument Sq # 2, Concord, MA

[The Chowhound Team]

Just a quick note that our regional boards are focused on where to find great chow in a given region. If you've got a suggestion on where Laura can find good Indian pudding in Southern New England, please do share it. General discussion of Indian pudding would belong on the General Topics board.

[mucho gordo]

The only place I've ever seen or had it is Durgin Park and I miss it terribly. I think the other poster was right; it's a regional thing. I doubt I'd find it here on the west coast.

[magiesmom]

I love Indian pudding, bu tI like Maple syrup instead of molasses and hard sauce on top!

[ciclista]

It's not in Boston, but rather, "Metro West"...Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury. They have great Indian Pudding. What's not to love?: cornmeal, molasses, and vanilla ice cream. It tastes like home, it tastes like love, and it tastes like New England. The color, texture, and smell are fabulous. Who cares if no one outside of New England doesn't like it? Maybe it didn't catch on because some foods are just region-specific. Grits haven't really caught on up here either (and aren't they a distant cousin of Indian Pudding??).

[phelana]

I love IP. I had some in Sturbridge once..Salem Cross Inn maybe?Love it with vanilla ice cream..wow