I love ice cream. No, I’m serious. I REALLY LOVE ice cream. I love it so much, I mentioned homemade ice cream on my dating profile as one of the simple pleasures in life. I love to eat it, talk about it, think about it, and expound to anyone willing (or unwilling) to listen to me debate textures and flavors and experiences. Yes, eating ice cream is a full on experience in New England. It’s one of the few things my NH born, GF, dairy free, gone full Californian sister misses about New Hampshire. Homemade, local ice cream scooped into almost bigger-than-your-head sized portions, balanced delicately on a plain cone and topped with rainbow jimmies.

Which is then best enjoyed sitting at a picnic table outside the local scoop shop on a sticky summer evening dodging mosquitoes. I prefer sugar or waffle cones and chocolate jimmies, but that is part of the customizable experience that comprises your ice cream order. Megan at the Ice House in Rye, NH which my mother likes to call her “second kitchen” in the summer, knew my order by heart when I was younger. I wasn’t adventurous with my flavor tasting as a tween: kiddie coffee oreo on a sugar cone with chocolate jimmies was my weekly (sometimes bi-weekly) order.

But that is the fun of growing up! Your taste buds mature. You become less of a picky eater because you discover that most of what you had previously turned your nose up at is actually really delicious! Things like curry, herb aioli, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, and ice cream flavors that aren’t always coffee oreo. Except for all things peanut butter…sorry, but that will never change.

Most people equate ice cream with summer, but I wouldn’t be writing this blog if I only ate it in the summer. I always stock up on my favorite flavors to get me through the winter. With every bite, a little bit of sunshine peeks through reminding me that the snow will eventually melt and lead to spring, which in turn leads to the start of the ice cream season for die hard fans. If you haven’t eaten ice cream in your winter jacket on opening day in March, you can’t rightfully call yourself a true New Englander. Just saying.

So I bring you now to the point of this whole thing:

Consider me, a discerning and sometimes persnickety ginger, as your local ice cream guide. I’ll dish on who makes their own, what shops carry what brands, and where to find GF and Vegan/Non-dairy ice cream. I’ll give you the scoop on the best scenic drive and hidden gems. Spoon out the history of these local shops and meet their adoring fans from an acceptable distance and with no touching- NO TOUCHING! Dole out th- you know what, let’s be honest… I just wanted a legitimate excuse to drive around New England this summer and eat ice cream! Huzzah!