With Canada celebrations almost upon us, the team at Small Farm Canada started to think about Canada Day menus (we are always thinking about food), then we started to think about how each province might celebrate differently, based on the foods for which each province is renown.
Some of our suggestions involve food fresh from the farm, some maybe from the sea – but it’s always easy to add some local ingredients fresh from your garden.
Here are some “traditional” (whatever that means) food and recipes from each of the ten provinces. If you want to suggest some alternatives to what we have featured in this article, and if you like to send us some recipes, please send an email to editor@smallfarmcanada.ca.
We present the regional delights from east to west, so that you can imagine travelling this vast land, enjoying the sights as you go. We love Canada, and we hope you do to. Happy Canada Day!
Newfoundland and Labrador: Toutons
While some might have chosen Newfoundland delicacies like cod tongues or seal flipper pie. We chose toutons, a delightful cross between a pancake and a flatbread. Served for breakfast, these golden treats are complemented with butter, molasses, or jam. For a heartier option, indulge in toutons fried in pork fat with crispy scrunchions. A deadly way to start the day in Newfoundland!
Prince Edward Island: Clams, Mussels, Oysters and Lobster Rolls with potatoes, of course!
Prince Edward Island, renowned for its rolling farmland and picturesque red sand beaches. While PEI farm-grown potatoes take center stage, we would be remiss without celebrating the island's bountiful seafood: fried clams, steamed mussels, or Malpeque Bay oysters. And don’t forget the ultimate delight: PEI lobster roll. Sink your teeth into a soft, toasted bun overflowing with sweet chunks of lobster meat, all bound together with creamy mayo. Pair it with a side of PEI-potato fries and savour the taste combinations!
Nova Scotia's Donair: A local pint and a donair
Have a glass of Alexander Keith's, or a beer from a microbrewery (click to find a list of microbreweries) and then treat yourself to a famous Halifax donair, the city's official food. Experience the delectable combination of spicy, spit-roasted shaved beef rolled into a pita bread with onions, tomato, and the unique Halifax donair sauce – it’s savory and sweet.
New Brunswick: Rappie Pie
Rappie pie (râpure), a comforting Acadian casserole layered with grated potatoes, cooked chicken or clams, and salt pork. This regional specialty still graces the tables along New Brunswick's Acadian shore, and showcases the province's unique cultural heritage.
Quebec: Artisan cheese, poutine, maple syrup and tourtière
Start with crepes and maple syrup or maybe end with maple syrup on ice cream. Indulge in the fine artisan cheese in the land and indulge with a poutine. Of course, the dish that truly represents Quebec is tourtière, the famed French Canadian meat pie. This golden pie-crust delight features warmly spiced ground pork and/or beef.
Ontario: Wine, peameal bacon and butter tarts
Make sure your breakfast starts with Canadian peameal bacon, later in the day enjoy some Ontario wine, and then end the meal with iconic butter tarts. Did you know you can embark on a Butter Tart Trail tour, immersing yourself in the world of sweet, syrupy, gooey butter tarts. Choose between raisins and nuts or embrace their simplicity without any additions. Ontario's butter tarts are sure to captivate your taste buds.
Manitoba: Schmoo Torte
I am embarrassed to admit that I had never heard of Schmoo Torte until researching this article, but I can’t wait to try it. Winnipeg Cream Cheese and Schmoo Torte is a nutty angel food layer cake filled with fluffy whipped cream and drizzled in caramel sauce. It is a tantalizing treat that showcases the fusion of cultures that make Manitoba's cuisine truly unique.
Saskatchewan: Saskatoon Pie
The saskatoon berry holds a special place in the hearts of locals, nothing says summer like saskatoon berry pie!
Alberta: Perogies
The historic migrations of Ukrainian immigrants mean you can find the prairie perogy or pierogi gracing plates across the province. Taste the traditional version topped with fried onions or opt for a loaded variation, poutine-style, with cheese curds and double-smoked bacon.
British Columbia: Salmon and Nanaimo Bars
Pacific salmon – what more do we need to say. Followed by Nanaimo Bars —a sweet square with crumbly coconut graham wafer crust, layered with velvety vanilla custard and topped with a luscious chocolate ganache. You can follow the Nanaimo Bar Trail in the city of its origin, and sample delightful variations like peanut butter or maple bacon bars.