Canadian Food 101

Kim wants to know:

What do you guys eat in the States?

Indeed, a better question might be: what the heck are we eating in Canada? Kira in particular seems curious, as she's now encountered at least two foods in my blog that she's never heard of. Gosh, if this keeps up, Canada's going to start looking like a foreign country or something. And y'all thought we were just like you. (except for that inferiority complex we work so hard at)

So for the purposes of international goodwill and broadening culinary horizons, allow me to elaborate on such foreign things as Timbits and Nanaimo Bars.

What we have here is a large coffee, double-cream-no-sugar and a Snack Pack of Timbits. As you can see, they're pretty much as my friend Jenn PB described, or at least are meant to be: doughnut* holes. Lumps of deep-fried dough, really, in assorted flavours, like honey-glaze, old-fashioned, and jelly-filled. They actually didn't start out as the centers of doughnuts*, they're made all on their own. I think. Timbits retail for 12 cents apiece, but are more commonly sold in Snack Packs (20) or Party Packs (65). *Note: it's doughnut, not donut. And yes, Chris, I eat them too, although I much prefer a nice fresh cherry-cheese danish.

Moving on to Nanaimo Bars. I actually had to do a bit of research on this one, as I found it difficult to form a description. My earliest recollection of the appearance of Nanaimo Bars at bake sales and baby showers came when I was around 8 or 9, and I wouldn't touch the things as a child. They were squares, for heaven's sake, and what child likes squares when there are cookies to be had? But eventually I had one, and it was good. And a Google search led me to this fascinating background on Nanaimo Bars:

According to local legend about 35 years ago, a Nanaimo housewife entered her recipe for chocolate squares in a magazine contest. In a burst of civic pride, she chose to dub the entry not "Daphne's Delights" or "Mary's Munchies", but "Nanaimo Bars".

Continue reading here. There's even a recipe.

I have no idea if this story is true, but it's apparently true enough to be posted on the Web site of the City of Nanaimo, British Columbia. Nanaimo Bars are typically available in the frozen food section of your grocery store, and are also available in peanut butter or coffee flavour. Robin Hood makes a kit you can buy and make your own.

Other Canadian foods? Well, Will Ferguson's theory is that if it can be rolled in batter and flung in a deep fryer, Canadians will eat it. Possibly. We're certainly not a health conscious bunch, tending towards such calorie-laden treats as poutine and butter tarts. There are, of course, the more stereotypical Canadian foods, such as tourtiere and beaver tails, neither of which I've ever had.

And it's becoming more and more obvious to me that I'm either procrastinating mightily, or have way too much time on my hands, one of the two.

So, if you're able, hop across the border for a Tim's and a Nanaimo Bar, or check out the Tim's in Maine that Alan mentioned. And if you're ever in this neck of the woods, I'll be sure to treat you to coffee and Timbits. There's always time for Tim Horton's.

Comments

[Pam]

I heard a rumor that just a few miles north of where I live, in Middletown Ohio (which is about 6 hours south of the Canuck border), there is a Tim Horton's. I'm going to have to make a trip there, just to see what all the fuss is about.

No way am I ever eating that poutine stuff. But nanaimo bars definitely seem worth a try.

[Kira]

You're so good to us, your loyal readers. Except it's almost 11 pm and now I want doughnut holes/Timbits/really any fried sugary thing. This is not good.
Thank you for the information. You're a journalistic jewel.

[Sabrina]

In my neck of the woods timbits are called munchkins and are found at dunkin donuts! Visit www.dunkindonuts.com for more info!

[Mark]

I thought "Nanaimo" was the name of a submarine captain. Thanks for the clarification. Now I'm hungry. ;)

[JennPB]

Just for clarification the spelling of doughnuts was to save an argument with hubby who was reading over my shoulder.

[Angela Giles Klocke]

Well, guess who had a dream about this stuff last night. Granted, I landed in the place while running from some sort of creature, but still... ;)