Top 4 Canadian Potato Dishes

Even though its name stems from the French boudin—a word that usually refers to the pudding-like fillings of sausages—this soppy treat originating from the French Canadian province of Quebec consists of french fries drowned in a thick, brown gravy dotted with clumps of pale, soft, semi-creamy cheese curds. The potatoes are more coarsely cut than regular fries, and they are sometimes even fried twice so that the exterior remains crispy while the interior remains soft, whereas the cheese does not melt but just softens, adding that special squeakiness to the dish, and the gravy is made with either beef or chicken stock with the addition of vinegar. Since its rise to stardom from the 1950s onwards, poutine has spread all over Canada and became popular in many parts of the USA where it's considered the ultimate late-night snack. Many Canadians consider poutine a true national dish. It is found anywhere from food trucks to fancy restaurants, and even at Canadian McDonald's. Poutine connoisseurs claim that the best versions are served at small roadside stands where the curds are fresh, rubbery, and melt easily. Interestingly, in 2007, poutine was placed at number 10 of an online survey about the greatest Canadian inventions, conducted by CBC.Expand

Poutine râpée is a traditional Acadian dish consisting of a boiled potato dumpling that is stuffed with salted pork. The dumplings can be made from grated or mashed potatoes, and they typically have a greyish color and bland flavor. There are a few ways to consume these dumplings: plain, sprinkled with pepper, white sugar, brown sugar, or even molasses. The dish is usually prepared for special and festive occasions such as Christmas.Expand

Pommes persillade is a Canadian dish that is especially popular in Quebec's bistros. This simple dish is made with potatoes, garlic, parsley, and oil. The potatoes are first cut into cubes, sautéed until browned, then combined with a mixture of chopped garlic and parsley. The resulting dish is seasoned with salt and pepper, and it is recommended to serve it immediately while the potatoes are still crispy on the exterior and tender on the inside. Apart from being a popular bistro dish, pommes persillade are often served with fish.Expand

This Acadian layered casserole from Nova Scotia consists of grated potatoes interspersed with layers of pork fat and either meat (ground beef, pork, or chicken) or seafood (clams,scallops). The pie is then baked until it develops a golden brown color. It is usually garnished with butter or molasses before serving. Interestingly, the pie is derived from the phrase pâte à la râpure, meaning grated pie, referring to its key ingredient, grated potatoes.Expand