Ask any Dutchman what is typically Zeeuws and he would probably say “boterbabbelaar”. The blue and white tins with the views of Zeeland or children in national costume containing the world famous butterscotch.
But Zeeland has far more to offer than butterscotch or tasty bolussen (sticky sweet cakes) and other lovely sweet things. There are of course tasty salty things too, like oysters, mussels and Oosterschelde lobster. Of course it depends on the season, but it is always freshly caught. A trip to a fish mine in Breskens or Colijnsplaat is always worth a visit.
Are you looking for something other than the salty Zeeuwse local produce, then you can watch the ringriders on Walcheren. Bareback draught horses gallop full speed over a sandy track 36 meters long. The rider must with his lance catch a ring 38mm round that hangs over the track, during the competition the ring gets smaller. When the winner is known he is picked up and swung from side to side by the other riders.
In various places in Zeeland you will come across a lady in national costume. The Zeeland costume is very heavy but lovely and in this hectic life too much fuss to wear every day. But there are costume societies who keep the tradition going. During fetes and fishery parties and other events you can see the differences between the villages, in the costumes of men women and children.
But the most typical is the broad outlook over acres where dikes are the borders. The tall poplars accentuate the horizon. As you see a field with blue flax growing and a meadow with a Zeeuws cart horse chewing on a willow, then the Zeeuwse picture is complete.
