Food is an important part of the travel experience. Not only will the local cuisine better acquaint you with the culture but it’s a perfect entree to interact with the locals.
Of course, all those tasty dishes provide tempting pics for our Instagram and Facebook pages too!
But how far are you willing to go to try something new? Would you wash down your prairie oysters with a tomato wine? Try one of these interesting foods found in Canada’s French speaking province, Quebec.
Chocolate covered bacon
Yes, chocolate covered bacon is a real thing! But don’t write off this artery clogging snack too quickly. If you’re a fan of the sweet and salty combo (think sea salt caramel), then you’re in for a surprise.
Using the standard North American thin pork belly bacon, the meat is fried for a crispy crunch, then dipped in rich chocolate. Served cold, try this piggy delight with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream or as an accompaniment to a cocktail.
Where: Select markets, bars, cafes and food trucks.
Tomato wine
Why haven’t the Italians thought of this? Tucked into the back hills of Baie St-Paul, in Quebec’s Charlavoix region, the Miche family has been producing tomato wine for four generations.
Made entirely from organic heirloom tomatoes, owner Pascal Miche uses this alternative vine fruit to produce four wine varietals. Visit the farm or try in select restaurants around the region.
Where: Le Domaine de la Vallée du Bras, 328 Rang St-Antoine Nord, Baie St-Paul
Ice-cheese
Imagine an ice-cream, made of cheese! Just a short drive from Quebec City, on the picturesque Isle d’Orléans, cheese making traditions dating back to 1635 have been resurrected.
Today, visitors can sample the 17th century flavours with three different varieties of cheese. Part ice cream and part cheesecake, the cheese is whipped, chilled and blended with seasonal fruits to produce the most delicious … ice-cheese.
Where: Les Fromages, 4696 Chemin Royal, Sainte-Famille, Ile d’Orléeans
More info: www.fromagesdeliledorleans.com
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Poutine Burrito
Considered one of Canada’s national dishes, poutine can be found all over Canada, but its origins are traced back to Quebec. Frowned upon by some, traditional poutine is a plate of fries, smothered in brown gravy and cheese curds.
Today, countless versions are served up around the country, from big city street vendors, to 5-Star restaurants. Alone, it can be a messy dish, but serve it in a burrito, and it becomes a tasty, portable poutine. Genius!
Where: Throughout Quebec region.
Prairie Oysters
Prairie Oysters, also known as cowboy caviar, are not for the faint hearted. They may sound like a crustacean dish originating from the seas, but the land based delicacy is actually… bull’s testicles.
Prairie Oysters have started appearing on more and more menus, and in all sorts of combinations. Typical preparation involves rolling in seasoned flour and pan frying, or they can be breaded and deep fried, or ground and made into meatballs (no pun intended)!
Where: Select restaurants throughout the region
La Tire – Maple taffy
An old-fashioned treat for Quebec kids, maple taffy, or La Tire as it’s known in French, is made during the early spring, after the maple harvest.
Boiled maple syrup is poured in strips on wooden troughs packed with fresh, clean snow. Once cooled, the mixture becomes toffee-like in consistency. Popsicle sticks are used to roll up the taffy and as a way to serve. Delicious!
Where: Usually street vendors throughout winter
