5 Canadian foods you have to try
Whether or not you know it Canada offers a rich variety of cuisines for you to try. Not only can you grab a chicken tikka or Thai curry in Toronto, but also a fluffy crepe or a buttery croissant in Quebec.
Canadian cuisine has deep British, French and First Nation roots. That said, the nation has evolved its signature dishes and unique tastes. And when you’re in Canada, these are the dishes you can look forward to sampling and loving!
- Poutine
The dish is said to have originated in Quebec chip shacks. Poutine is a mix of fries, meat-based gravy, and cheese curds. But there are also vegetarian options. This is a really calorie-heavy dish with regional variations, like Italian poutine served with Bolognese sauce, poutine Dulton with beef, doner poutine, Disco Fries with mozzarella, provolone, or American cheese and Sugar Shack poutine with maple syrup.
This is Canadian fast food. Even KFC, and pizza places sell it.
- Nanaimo bar
Canada’s favourite dessert is named after a city in British Columbia. The bar requires no baking. It has three layers – crumb mixture, icing, and melted chocolate.
Again, there are many varieties – the icing can be mint, mocha, peanut butter and even coconut. The chocolate and crumb mix too is open to experimentation. These treats are also called Mabel bars.
- Tourtiere
As you can guess from the name, the dish has French-Canadian roots. It dates back to 1600. This is meat pie filled with ground beef, pork, veal or game. In coastal towns, the tourtiere may be made of fish.
Mostly, the pie is consumed on Christmas and New Year. But if you’re in Quebec, you will find it stocked all the year in bakeries.
- Ketchup
Canadians love their ketchup. . . with everything. Ketchup-flavoured chips are one of Canada’s best-loved snacks. They also love ketchup with mac and cheese, or as it is known in Canada, the Kraft Dinner.
So, yes, ketchup. You’ll find it everywhere. And probably grow to love it.
- Butter tarts
Another one of Canada’s quintessential desserts. This is made of butter, sugar and eggs. There is debate on whether the recipe should include raisins. The crust of the pastry is delicate and flaky, and centre is creamy.
Most bakeries stock the butter tarts. However, foodies advise a trip to rural Ontario if you’re really serious about tasting the best that Canada has to offer.
Kenilworth, Ontario, has a string of bakeries which collectively form the Butter Tart trail. There is also the rival Butter Tart Tour for the still more dedicated.
