Deborah Smith - The Jersey Shore cookbook : fresh summer flavors from the boardwalk and beyond

This book is dedicated to the hardworking business owners who pour their hearts and souls into making the Jersey Shore a magical place.

More than 59 million people call the Jersey Shore their vacation destination every year. I call it home.

My roots were planted in the sand of Sea Bright, New Jersey, well before I was born, when my grandfather founded the Tradewinds Beach Club and later became part owner of Surfrider Beach Club. He had a house directly across the street from Surfrider, and thats where I spent my summers, fishing in the Shrewsbury River and boogie boarding in the Atlantic Ocean.

I now live in Point Pleasant Beach, one of New Jerseys major vacation towns, about half a mile from the ocean. Ive raised my children here, and they have enjoyed the same magical childhood I was fortunate to have. My daily walks include an early morning stroll on the boardwalk, and I wont deny I love it. I love seeing the ocean every day, whether its stormy and wintery or in the bright summer sunshine. Its a part of mea sentiment most locals would attest to.

I have been writing about food in New Jersey on my blog, JerseyBites.com, since 2007. Doing so has afforded me the opportunity to meet passionate food lovers, farmers, fishermen, and restaurateurs. Im excited to share some of their stories and recipes here.

Some of the restaurants you will read about have been serving Jersey Shore visitors for decades. Some are family-owned businesses with multiple generations working under one roof. Some are relative newcomers giving their all to serve innovative dishes using locally sourced produce and seafood. Most of them endured devastating damage from Hurricane Sandy, but through the help of their communities, staff, and customers, they are back and better than ever.

New Jersey has a landscape and food culture that is all our own. We host the majority of the countrys boardwalks, we enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches, and we have miles and miles of fertile farmland and five commercial fishing ports. That local food is fresh and delicious, and eating it supports the states economy. After all, when you buy local seafood, you support not only the fishing crew but the boat repairman, the dock master, and the infrastructure that keeps the regions waterways safe. This book celebrates all that is local, fresh, and Jersey.

Dining at the Jersey Shore means something different to everyone. I wanted this book to embrace all types of dining experiences, from diners to fine dining, from corner bakery to off-the-boat, sunset views, raw bar casual and everything in between. I hope you enjoy reading it, trying the recipes, and visiting the contributors who have been so generous with their time and talents in the making of this book.