12 Quirky Canadian Foods That’ll Confirm Your Love For Our Northern Neighbors

By Emily Abrams   ‧   10/16/2017   ‧   Eat /

@pjbillingtons

Canada is like that chill, quirky cousin that’s nice to you no matter what you do. Our neighbors to the north have sugar shacks, all-star hockey teams, public health care, all the nature and adorable slang. Sure, you’ll find everything maple syrup and poutine, but Canadian food goes far beyond that. Some foods we can relate to, while others are pretty random. Here are 12 quirky Canadian foods that’ll confirm your love for our northern neighbors.

1. Timbits

The Canadian-based coffee franchise Tim Hortons makes bite-sized fried dough balls called Timbits. These are basically the Canadian version of donut holes. Timbits come in flavors like apple fritter, honey dip and sour cream-glazed.

2. Toutons

These classic Newfoundland pancakes look like little patties. They’re made by frying dough in a pan with butter or pork fat and served with dark molasses or corn syrup. Toutons can be topped or stuffed with anything you’ve craving, whether it’s sweet or savory.

3. BeaverTails

BeaverTails are probably the most typically Canadian dessert you’ll find. The dough is in the actual shape of a beaver tail since the large rodent happens to be the symbolic Canadian mascot. A piece of wheat dough is stretched and deep-fried. Traditionally it’s topped with cinnamon sugar, butter and jam or butter and honey, but the toppings can be whatever you want.

4. Saskatoon Berries

Saskatoon berries look like blueberries, but they’re more closely related to the apple family. These berries are native to the Canadian prairies, Northern Canada and British Columbia. They have a sweet, nutty almond flavor and they’re high in fiber, protein and antioxidants. Canadians make everything from muffins to pies to meat glazes with saskatoon berries.

5. Nanaimo Bars

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Native to British Columbia, Nanaimo bars require no baking. This rich snack has a wafer crumb-based layer, which is topped with a layer of custard flavored icing and then covered with melted chocolate. Sometimes people add peanut butter, mocha, coconut or mint.

6. Ice Wine

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Canadian ice wine is sweet and syrupy and perfect to drink around the holidays. Ice wine is a type of dessert wine that’s made from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine.

7. Oreilles De Crisse

Oreilles de crisse is a popular sugar shack snack and a Quebec tradition. It’s essentially deep-fried smoked pork jowls (cured and smoked pork cheeks) drizzled with maple syrup. If pork rinds are your thing, you’ll be a fan.

8. Sugar Cream Pie

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Sugar cream pies will probably convince you to move to Canada. These pies are made with a filling from flour, butter, salt, vanilla and cream and then brown sugar or maple syrup are added. When all of these ingredients mix together they form a caramel-like consistency. When maple syrup is used, it’s called a maple pie. On your next trip to Canada, you’ll want to stock up on some sugar cream pies.

9. Persian Rolls

These oval-shaped rolls, known as Persians, are cinnamon bun-esque and topped with a pink icing made of either strawberries or raspberries. Persian rolls have roots in the Thunder Bay District of Ontario.

10. Poutine Burritos

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Poutine (a French-Canadian dish of French fries, cheese and brown gravy) speaks for itself, but poutine burritos are a whole other level. This Quebec-Mexican combination is a burrito stuffed with gravy-smothered beef and mushrooms, stretchy cheese curds and fries. You have the best of both worlds with this one.

11. Sourtoe Cocktail

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At the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City, Canada, the signature drink is a shot of whiskey with a mummified toe. The Sourtoe cocktail has been going strong for 40 years, with no end in sight. Before you freak out, the toe doesn’t actually have a taste or odor since it’s mummified and kept in coarse salt. If you can brave a toe touching your lips, you’re braver than most.

12. Ketchup-Flavored Potato Chips

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Ketchup-flavored potato chips are one of those Lay’s snacks sold only in the Canadian market. You’ll end up with some weird breath and red fingers, but Canadians can’t get enough of them.

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