New England

Buy perky, energetic lobsters; they should be active and extend their claws upwards when lifted.

This dense quickbread is traditionally baked in empty coffee cans.

Channel New England with this rich and warming one-pot clam chowder. If fresh clams are unavailable (or you're running short on time), substitute two 10-ounce cans of baby clams and 6 cups of bottled clam juice. This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.

Peekytoe is a Maine rock crab prized by many chefs for its sweet, delicate flavor. Dungeness crab is probably the closest substitute.