By Jim Hartley

Now that grilling season is behind us and the weather is getting colder, let’s start thinking about some traditional Maine cold-weather meals to cozy up with. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes? Roast chicken and veggies? Think again. There are plenty of ways to include seafood in your winter cooking. It’s delicious, tends to be more affordable in the colder months, and it’s a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Here are five of my favorite winter seafood dishes.

1. New England Clam Chowder:  You can’t talk about Maine winter cuisine without including a hearty clam chowder. This creamy soup is made with clams, potatoes, onions, maybe some bacon or salt pork, and heavy cream and/or whole milk. It’s perfect for a cold winter day after skiing or skating on the farm pond. Serve it with some buttered saltines, oyster crackers, or in a sour dough bread boule and you’re good to go. (If at any moment you consider a red tomato broth to be the base of a clam chowder, please turn in your “Maine Card” and relocate to a flatter land.)

2. Lobster Stew: This rich stew is made with the broth from steaming/boiling lobster (including the tomalley and roe), sauteed with LOTS of butter and chunks of lobster meat until reduced, then added to heavy cream and whole milk, and simmered for an hour. Pro tip: After simmering, strain out the lobster meat and bits and blend at high speed to emulsify and smooth, eliminating the need to add flour or thickener. A perfect luxurious meal for a special occasion.

3. Crab Cakes: These savory cakes are made with fresh crabmeat, breadcrumbs, and spices, and are usually served with tartar sauce or remoulade. Yum!

4. Seafood Gumbo: Through our French lineage, many in Maine are likely related to the Acadians of the Bayou State (aka “Cajuns”) and this Louisiana classic is sure to add heat on chilly evenings when that wicked blister of a Nor’easter blows in. A Maine version of this seafood delight should be packed full of North Atlantic shrimp, Maine crab, oysters, chopped clams, and okra. Served over rice, sure to fill you up on a cold night. Ça c’est bon!

5. Oven-Roasted Salmon with Winter Squash: This healthy dish features succulent salmon fillets roasted to perfection and served with roasted winter squash and kale. It’s the perfect meal for when you’re trying to eat healthily but still want something that tastes good.

There you have it – five pretty decent winter dishes! The next time you’re looking for something new to try, give one of these a shot. You won’t be disappointed.

Jim Hartley is owner of Pine Tree Seafood and Dunstan Smokehouse.

Photo by Sergeant Killjoy.