How Well Do You Know The Canadian Culinary Scene?
Canada may not be France or Italy in terms of culinary finesse, but the country's harsh northern environment and distinct blend of cultures have created a unique food scene nonetheless. From sweet treats like Timbits and Coffee Crisp to savory specialties like Montreal smoked meat and Nova Scotia lobster rolls, these foods are more than just meals; they’re a taste of Canadian culture. Here are 20 iconic foods you can only get in Canada.
1. BeaverTails
Contrary to what the name suggests, Canadians aren't actually eating the tails of beavers. BeaverTails are essentially flat donuts that come with a variety of toppings from cinnamon sugar to parmesan cheese. They're typically served out of kiosks by skating rinks and ski hills.
2. Butter Tarts
Butter tarts are a quintessentially Eastern Ontario treat. It consists of pie dough with a sweet custardy filling of butter, brown sugar, syrup, and egg, baked in a muffin tin until it's golden brown and semi-solid. Whether or not they should include raisins is an age-old debate in Ontario.
3. Peameal Bacon
Peameal bacon, originating in Toronto, is wet-cured lean pork loin rolled in cornmeal. It resembles ham more than bacon and has a tender and juicy texture. It's typically served on a bun or as part of a breakfast platter.
4. Nanaimo Bars
Nanaimo bars are a typical Canadian dessert originating in Nanaimo, British Columbia. To make the dessert, a graham cracker crust is topped with icing and smooth chocolate ganache.
5. Ketchup Chips
Ketchup chips are weirdly only available in Canada. Canadian snack companies popularized them decades ago, and they haven't really caught on anywhere else.
6. Bannock
Bannock is a type of flatbread made by First Nations peoples in Canada. It's either cooked over an open flame or on a griddle and can be made with a variety of grains. It's a highly versatile food that can be served sweet with inclusions like wild blueberries or savory alongside hearty stews.
7. All Dressed Chips
All-dressed chips are another uniquely Canadian potato chip flavor that's known for its combination of bold flavors into one explosive chip. Imagine salt and vinegar, barbecue, ketchup, and sour cream and onion all mixing to create a tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavor experience.
8. Timbits
Timbits are the ultimate road trip car snack in Canada. They're essentially small, shareable donut holes sold at the iconic Canadian coffee chain, Tim Hortons, that come in a variety of flavors you can mix and match.
9. Tourtière
Tourtière is a special kind of meat pie traditionally eaten during the holiday season in Quebec. It packs a mix of ground pork, beef, and sometimes game meat, seasoned with a unique blend of spices, including cinnamon and clove, into a flaky pie crust.
10. Sugar Pie
Another Quebecois delicacy, sugar pie is exactly what it sounds like: a sweet pie whose main ingredients are brown sugar or maple syrup, butter, eggs, and cream. It's often served after tourtière at holiday gatherings.
11. Ice Wine
Ice wine is a dessert wine made from grapes that freeze on the vine. The freezing process makes the sugars in the grapes more concentrated, resulting in an intensely sweet and rich flavor.
12. Donairs
Donairs are a regional favorite in Atlantic Canada, similar to a shawarma or gyro. What sets them apart is the use of the signature sweet garlic sauce and the special spice used on the beef.
13. Montreal-Style Bagels
Montreal-style bagels are a staple of the city's Jewish community. They're distinct from New York-style bagels because they're denser and slightly sweeter. They're boiled in a honey-sweetened water, giving them a distinct crust, and always baked in a wood-fired oven.
14. Jos Louis
A Jos Louis is a packaged snack cake found in Canada consisting of chocolate cake, cream, and a chocolatey coating. A source of nostalgia for many Canadians, they're a classic cultural icon that has been enjoyed since the 1930s.
15. Coffee Crisp
There's no denying that Canadians love their coffee, so it's no surprise that one of their most iconic candy bars is coffee-flavored. Created by Nestlé Canada, Coffee Crisp consists of layers of vanilla wafer, coffee cream, and milk chocolate.
16. Pouding Chômeur
Pouding Chômeur is essentially bread pudding baked in a maple syrup and cream mixture to make a delectible caramelized layer. It was invented in the Great Depression as a dessert that could be made cheaply with simple pantry staples, but it's still widely enjoyed today, especially in Quebec.
Geneviève Desroches on Wikimedia
17. Nova Scotia Lobster Roll
Nova Scotia is known for its lobster, so it's no surprise that they have their own style of lobster rolls that are to die for. They're made with fresh, local lobster that's lightly dressed with mayo and lemon, served in a lightly toasted bun with celery or scallions. It's a summertime East Coast tradition.
18. Flapper Pie
Flappy pie is a quintessential Canadian dessert from the Prairies, particularly popular in Manitoba. It has a graham cracker crust, a custard filling, and a meringue topping.
19. Pet de Soeur
Pet de soeurs (literally, nun's farts) is a Quebecois dessert that's a lot tastier than the name makes it out to be. It's essentially a cookie made from pie dough or puff pastry with butter and brown sugar rolled into it and baked until caramelized. It was developed as a simple way to use up leftover pie dough, but it is now a staple in grocery stores and bakeries.
20. Montreal Smoked Meat
You can get smoked meat anywhere, but Montreal smoked meat is a different experience. The brisket is cured in a unique blend of spices, and it's slow-smoked until it's delectably tender, with a deep, rich flavor. Sliced thin and piled high between two pieces of rye bread slathered in mustard with a pickle on the side, it's a Montreal deli specialty.
