Welcome to my new series, the “Canadian List of Ten”! Ten weeks, ten posts, ten lists and one hundred new Canadian things for you, from food to language, from city to weather.
Let’s not do like Stephen Harper and Governor General Michaelle Jean visiting Nunavut: raw seal heart is not for everyone. But I know there are some Canadian specialties you are dying to try!
Like the country, Canadian food is very diverse. Each province has its own specialty and many dishes were brought in Canada by immigrants (which explains why Winnipeggers are fond of Ukrainian pirogi, why people in Ottawa seem to survive on Pho Soup etc.). Yet, some foods are really worth tasting and enjoying in canada.
- Donuts: these North American pastries are popular in Canada, and guess where you can buy them? You are right, Tim Hortons! I mentioned the ubiquitous Coffee chain so many times on this blog that I think they should pay me. Preferably not in coffee, thanks.
- Maple Syrup: it’s super sweet and it can be used as a sweetener in yogurt or cake mixes, or as a spread on bread and toasts. Maple syrup is quite inexpensive in Canada and you can buy some pretty much anywhere.
- Poutine: this will be the only time in your life when you will feel your arteries clog as you eat. Yep, poutine is not for the wannabe skinny! True Canadians insist on it being topped with real cheese curds, whatever that means. I admit it, I’m not a poutine person…
- Montreal smoked meat: even if you are not in Montreal, I’m pretty sure you can find a diner which specialized in smoked meat sandwiches. It is usually served with coleslaw, potato fries and a pickle.
- Montreal-style bagels: with a thick spread of cream cheese, it’s almost as good as French baguette and blue cheese. Seriously.
- Salmon: not surprisingly for a country bordered by the Pacific and the Atlantic, seafood is excellent in Canada.
- Nanaimo Bars: a treat consisting of a wafer crumb-based layer, topped by a layer of light vanilla or custard flavored butter icing, which is covered in chocolate made from melted chocolate squares.
- Butter tarts: it consists of butter, sugar, and eggs in a pastry shell. It’s sugar heaven!
- Pâté Chinois (shepherd’s pie): this dish, popular in Québec, is made from layered ground beef (sometimes mixed with sautéed diced onions) on the bottom layer, canned corn (either whole-kernel, creamed, or a mix) for the middle layer, and mashed potatoes on top. One explanation for the name (“Chinese pie”) is that it was introduced to French Canadian railway workers by Chinese cooks during the building of the North American railroads in the late 19th century.
- Ice wine: this is a dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. Isn’t it Canada the perfect place to produce it? The wine is very sweet with high acidity. In the Eastern part of Canada, wineries are found in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
Now, that’s a good list, wish there were pictures too 😉 On the other hand that would have shorted my computer with all the drooling 😉
The ice wine would be a good try I guess though
.-= Nigel Babu´s last blog ..Pushing 150 kg =-.
I think you meant poutine 😉 I only heard of nainamo bars when I visited DK last time. I don’t know why Montreal bagels are so popular, but I’ve seen many passengers bring many bags of bagels to their homeland.
You’re making me hungry, Girl!
.-= Agnes´s last blog ..All I want for Christmas is you =-.
Love your post! Very creative and it made me laugh..
.-= Allinclusive´s last blog ..All Inclusive Excursions Invites You To Sheraton Steamboat Resort =-.
Mmmm poutine!!!!!
I want bagels so badly right now.
We’ve got shepherd’s pies in England too!
I thought it’s British… Are you sure it’s Canadian? ;p
Anyway, we use minced lamb instead of minced beef in shepherd’s pies.
Of course, we also have the beef version, they’re known as cottage pies.
Personally, I prefer shepherd’s pies. Go best with mustard! 🙂
.-= London Caller´s last blog ..What are these? / 这些是什么? / Apa ini? / これは何ですか。 =-.
Yum! I want to try ice wine, shepherd’s pie, and butter tarts. I’ve always wanted to visit Canada, and now you’ve just added to my reasons, haha!
.-= Lizz´s last blog ..My Christmas UnWishlist: What Not To Get Me For The Holidays =-.
Interesting fact: it isn’t that easy to get real maple syrup in the US if you aren’t in a maple syrup producing state (like New England or the Great Lakes region). Mostly it’s Aunt Jemima and Mrs Butterworth. Gross, right?
What do they serve for maple syrup in cheap diners in Canada, the real stuff or the fakey sugary stuff?
.-= Soleil´s last blog ..Aaaaand I’m back =-.
No beaver tails in the list? It is something I hear a lot about, so I guess it is also quite famous in Canada. Or maybe just a cliché?
I remember being surprised when I discovered butter tarts were unique to Canada. How sad for the rest of the world. 😉
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Carry On =-.
I especially agree with numbers 7 to 10!!! Some of my all time favs here. What a great list.
.-= expatraveler´s last blog ..Ferrari’s in Montreux =-.
i’ve had german eis-wein. because it stays on the vine until the first frost, it is very sweet. yummm…
can i have mine with a butter tart?
can you tell i have a sweet tooth?
.-= Seraphine´s last blog ..The Difference Between a Woman and a Banana (Dedicated to Dani) =-.
Salut Zhu,
I have not done it all- just 1,2 & 5.
I have a serious blockage when it comes to the idea of eating poutine.I saw on Radio Canada a report from NYC, which showed restaurants that now serve Poutine over there
No problem with the meat/salmon or the sweets for me but I’ll politely pass on the raw seal heart.
Bises 🙂
@Nigel Babu – I’m bad at taking pictures of food – I always eat it too fast!
@Bluefish – I wouldn’t bring bagels back home, but I must say this is something I enjoy when I am in Montreal.
@Agnes – Sorry…!
@Allinclusive – Thank you!
@Jennie – They are impossible to find in France, aren’t they?
@London Caller – It is probably originally British, although I’m pretty sure one of the variant is typically Canadian.
@Lizz – Start with butter tarts, they are super yummy!
@Soleil – It depends on the greasy spoons actually. I think Denys and these kind of place have “supermarket” kind of maple syrup. Other smaller places buy local… fortunately!
@Rémy – No, it’s actually quite famous! To be honest, this is something I mostly eat during the winter. For example, it’s a popular snack when skating along the Rideau Canal. But it’s not frozen yet, so I haven’t had it yet this year!
@Beth – I know! I’m sure a lot of cultures around the world would really enjoy them.
@expatraveler – Canada does have some good food 🙂
@Seraphine – It’s funny because I don’t have a sweet tooth, I’m more into salty treats like cheese etc. But I must say Canada has some wonderful sweet treats!
@barbara – I have never tasted poutine either and I totally understand you – it’s psychological! In my old job, my co-workers would have some at noon… gross to me!
Hmmm, we have Tim Horton’s here in Buffalo too! And yes, I think they are okay, but there are dissidents. And poutine, I should try that. Finally, I will put visiting a sushi bar in Toronto as part of my agenda should I find myself up north.
.-= Linguist-in-Waiting´s last blog ..Dissertating Blues =-.
What an interesting list. Some I would guess, some was a surprise – especially the smoked.
Of course, as a Norwegian, my choice would be seafood – would have been nice to try a Canadian salmon. Btw: Canadian lobster is often sold here in Norway.
This also reminds me of that I once have had a real, genuine Canadian treat – from You: Canadian Maple Fudge – the best I’ve ever tasted!
.-= RennyBA’s Terella´s last blog ..Winter Solstice and Yuletide in Norway =-.
Another food I would suggest is game meat! There are a lot of people who go hunting. Yesterday I had moose sausage and it was delicious. I’ve also had moose burgers and know plenty of people who’ve had all sorts of game. 🙂
Tim Hortons is a staple. I do love my Timmies. 🙂
To eat real poutine, not bad poutine, go to Quebec, where it was originally made. Believe me, it’s much better then ours and the ones from a couple other provinces I’ve been to.
Thank you for the tip! People seem to say that poutine isn’t bad in Ottawa, I know several visitors from the Prairies or the West who like it here.