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The Best Food To Eat When You're Staying In Canada hat

 

The Secret Traveller

People eating on snowfields

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By The Secret Traveller

Canadians and New Zealanders have a lot in common. We’re widely regarded as being some of the most chilled out people on the planet. We both speak the same language (although we’re both known for our home-grown slang that no-one else understands), we’re both members of the commonwealth and our attitudes and beliefs are very similar.

But there’s one thing about Canada that won’t be familiar to you, and that’s the food. It might be the cold, the snow or the vast open spaces but the Canadians have an unusual take on a lot of the foods we know and love. Sometimes it’s weird, but a lot of the time, it’s absolutely delicious. Check out some of the best food you’ll find when visiting Canada.

1 Poutine

Poutine

Poutine is essentially chips. Everyone likes chips, yes? But take some chips, pour on some gravy and add cheese curds, and you’ve got a feed you’ll can absolutely love. Especially good after a big night out. 

2 Tourtière

tourtiere

Again the idea behind tourtière is fairly simple. It’s pretty much just a pie. But what the Canadian’s put in their pies is what makes them special. They’re stuffed with beef, pork, garlic, thyme, pepper and cloves and some other unidentifiable delicious substances.

3 Peameal Bacon

Canadian bacon

You may know this as Canadian bacon, but the Canadians don’t. It’s more like ham than bacon, taken from the back of the pig in big thick slices, then wet-cured to add flavour.

4 Beaver Tails

Beavertailes

Canadian’s love beavers (they’re furry, cute, they build damns, what’s not too like?). So much so that they make bakery treats that look like, well beavers tails. Beaver Tails are deep fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.

5 Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo bars

Nanaimo Bars get their name from a city in British Columbia, and their main claim to fame is that they are a baked good that requires no baking. Nanaimo bars are a crumb based, topped with coconut and custard with melted chocolate on top. A must try if you have a sweet tooth.

6 Donair

Donair

Donairs are so popular in Canada that they were named the official food of Halifax. Donairs are very similar to a Turkish kebab or a Greek gyro. The main difference is that it’s socially acceptable to have your donair consist only of meat and garlic sauce, no veg required. Also best enjoyed after or during a big night out.

7 Bagel

Bagel

Bagels almost take the place of bread rolls in Canada, and can be filled with almost anything. Technically Montreal bagels are smaller and sweeter than the bagels you would enjoy at home, and are all baked in a wood fire oven.

8 Nova Scotia Lobster

Lobster

Canadians pride themselves on their seafood, and once you’ve sampled some you’ll know why. Nova Scotia is a maritime province on the far eastern side of Canada and is home to some of the world’s best lobster. If you’re in the area be sure to sample some

9 Maple Syrup

Maple Syrup

Canada produces over 80% of the world’s maple syrup, and it really shows. If you’ve spent more than five minutes in Canada you’ll notice how seriously they take it. For instance, maple syrup comes in three numbered grades, one being the lightest and three being the darkest. But don’t get too caught up in grades, it’s all good.

10 Smoked Meat

Smoked Meat

Montreal-style smoked meat is a deliciously simple meal, beef brisket often served just between two slices of bread. You can often specify the amount of fat you would like in the meat, from lean to speck. If you’re unsure ask for an ‘old-fashioned’ which is between medium and fatty.

 

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