ECC Visitor Guide 2026 - Flipbook - Page 17
A Legacy
OF FLAVOR
The Potomac and Patuxent Rivers have nourished Charles County
residents for centuries. Watermen harvest sweet, tender crabs and
oysters, and reel in rock昀椀sh and cat昀椀sh from their favorite 昀椀shing
spots. Pull up a chair at a dockside restaurant, kick back with a
cocktail, and let the tranquil water views set the mood as you await
the fresh, boat-to-table bounty headed your way!
While crabs are central to our culture, generations of locals consider
stuffed ham a holiday showstopper. Believed to date back to the
17th century, this Southern Maryland classic emerged from the
resourcefulness of enslaved people. The ham is salted, deboned, and
slit in several places before being stuffed with cabbage, kale, onions,
and spices. The ham is then wrapped, baked or boiled, sliced, and
served cold. You can bring a taste of our tradition home with a salted
ham from Hancock Family Farm or Bowling Green Farm.
BOATTO-TABLE
Bounty
Charles County’s rivers and
waterfront communities support
a vibrant local seafood tradition.
Visitors can enjoy seafood from local
restaurants and seafood markets
supplied by regional watermen,
including Bubba’s Crab Shack,
Cobb Island Seafood Company,
Southern Maryland Seafood
Company, and Grinder’s Seafood.
ExploreCharlesCounty.com
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