Massachusetts’ Best-Kept Culinary Secret Is a Dish Out-of-Staters Never Heard Of

Regional foods are iconic for a reason, and the nostalgic Fluffernutter is no exception. This simple but utterly delicious sandwich has been a staple lunch dish in kitchens across New England for decades. If you weren’t fortunate to grow up with this sweet and salty comfort food, believe me, you have been missing out. But lucky for you, all you need to do is combine three simple ingredients, and soon you will find yourself savoring one of the most unique foods in Massachusetts. Let me tell you about the delicious regional treat that never fails to take me back to my childhood days.

What Is the Fluffernutter?

If you're already familiar with the Fluffernutter, this sandwich needs no explaining, but if you have never heard of this local favorite, I guess I’ll let you in on the secret. This traditional Massachusetts dish is part sandwich, part dessert, and consists of white bread, peanut butter, and marshmallow fluff.

The Fluffernutter has reached regional peak popularity not only because it is such a delicious treat, but also because its key ingredient was created right here in Somerville, Massachusetts. In 1917, a man named Archibald Query invented the iconic marshmallow spread and named this delicious sticky creation "fluff". A  few years later, he sold his recipe to a pair of local candy makers named Allen Durkee and Fred Mower, who mass-produced the product in their Lynn, Massachusetts warehouse. Today, roughly eight million pounds of fluff are still made here annually. 

But you may be wondering how the sandwich came about. While the name “Fluffernutter” was not coined until 1960, the recipe was originally published in 1918 by another Massachusetts citizen named Emma Curtis. She called her dish the "Liberty Sandwich," and paired peanut butter with her own version of marshmallow fluff (Snowflake Marshmallow Créme). The result is the traditional Massachusetts dish that locals still crave over a century later.

Where to Try This Dish in Massachusetts

Most people that I know usually make their own Fluffernutter sandwiches, but you can also find them on the menu at many restaurants throughout Massachusetts and New England, including Moogy's in Brighton. You can even sample an unforgettable deep-fried option at Local 149 in South Boston. Several local eateries also make their own Fluffernutter dessert and ice cream versions.

However, for the ultimate Fluffernutter experience, you should plan on making a September trip to Union Square in Somerville to attend the annual “What The Fluff” festival. This one-of-a-kind celebration full of games, music, and lots of sweet treats pays tribute to our favorite marshmallow dish. And yes, you can also get a delicious Fluffernutter sandwich to savor while enjoying the fun.

What Makes It So Underrated

Don’t let the simplistic nature of this unofficial state sandwich of Massachusetts deter you from giving it a try. One bite of the salty peanut butter and sweet fluff combo, and you will be hooked for life. Yes, it is messy and probably not the healthiest of lunch options, but well worth the sacrifice.

If you enjoy or are intrigued by the Fluffernutter sandwich, you should also try some other hidden-gem foods in Massachusetts. Did you know that Boston Cream Pie and fried clams were also invented right here in the Bay State? Be sure to let us know what you think.