French-speaking Quebec boasts its own distinct culture, which includes cuisine.
The province of Quebec, Canada, has a rich and dynamic culture. The vast majority of the province speaks French, with English being a second language to most Quebecois, as they are known. The province is home to a distinct culture that eschews much of North American popular tastes in favor of its own musical stars, television shows, film productions and authors. The region is also home to its own unique cuisine.
Tourtière
Tourtière is a traditional meat pie prepared with a combination of ground meats and spices. The dish dates back to the 17th century, when it was prepared using passenger pigeons as the main ingredient. The pigeons became extinct, and the ingredients evolved. Every family has its own unique recipe which is passed down through generations. Today's tourtière typically features special blends of spices along with selections of pork, beef, rabbit, chicken, turkey or even fish, all ground and baked into a flaky crust. Tourtière was traditionally served after midnight mass at Christmas, but today it is served year-round and can even be purchased in many Canadian grocery stores.
Maple Syrup Feasts
Just as tourtière was originally associated with Christmas, many of Quebec's other traditional foods are similarly tied to celebrations. Sugar season, or temps des sucres, is the time in early spring when maple syrup is produced. The season is highly celebrated, with many Quebecois traveling to cabanes à sucre, or sugar camps. There they help with the collection of sap and refining of the maple syrup. At the end of the day they celebrate the harvest with a traditional feast that includes baked beans cooked with lard and topped with maple syrup, maple cured ham and bacon. For dessert, they take some of the boiling maple syrup and drizzle it onto snow, which forms a type of toffee.
Poutine
Nothing is more revered in Quebec than poutine. For the uninitiated, poutine consists of French fried potatoes topped with fresh cheese curd and covered with gravy. While it sounds unusual, many people are converted the instant they try it. Poutine is served everywhere in Quebec, from chip trucks to gourmet restaurants. The dish has also gained popularity in English-speaking Canada and can be found on menus at McDonalds, A&W, New York Fries and other fast food restaurants. Fine dining restaurants serve variations that might include artisanal cheeses, curry-flavored gravy and short ribs. Lately, upscale restaurants in the Eastern United States have begun to include the dish on their menus.
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