1 GEOGRAPHIC SETTING AND ENVIRONMENT

Most French Canadians (over 5 million) live in the province of Quebec. Most of the rest (about 1.5 million) live in the other northeastern provinces, known as the “Maritime Provinces” of Canada.

2 HISTORY AND FOOD


There are about 6.5 million French Canadians — descendants of French explorers and colonists — living in Canada. Most French Canadians (over 5 million) live in the province of Quebec. Most of the rest (about 1.5 million) live in the other northeastern provinces, known as the “Maritime Provinces” of Canada. French Canadians who live in the Maritime Provinces are often referred to as Acadians. There are small numbers of French Canadians living in the other provinces and territories, also.

Since the 1960s, interest in preserving French Canadian culture and traditions has grown. French Canadians share many common cultural practices: most are Roman Catholic, most enjoy food, art, music, and activities that began with their French ancestors. In 1974, French was recognized as the official language of Quebec, although English is the official language elsewhere in Canada.

3 FOODS OF THE FRENCH CANADIANS


Probably the best-known French Canadian dish is pea soup. It is enjoyed all over Canada, and is the traditional lunch (called dinner) on Saturday in Newfoundland, usually with dumplings called doughboys floating in it.

4 FOOD FOR RELIGIOUS AND HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS


French Canadians celebrate holidays related to the Roman Catholic Church, especially Easter and Christmas. On Christmas Eve, families traditionally attend a religious service called a Mass (many attend Midnight Mass), followed by a festive holiday meal. One of the traditional dishes is a spicy meat pie called a tourtière, made on Christmas Eve using ground pork.

On February 2, French Canadian Roman Catholics celebrate the Fête de la Chandeleur (Candlemas), honoring the day in the church calendar when Mary took the baby Jesus to the temple, by eating crêpes (thin pancakes). A traditional French Canadian proverb says “Manger des crêpes à la chandeleur apporte un an de bonheur” (Eating crêpes on Candlemas brings a year of happiness).

5 MEALTIME CUSTOMS


French Canadians may eat a pastry, such as a croissant, for breakfast, accompanied by coffee or tea. For those with time for a heartier breakfast, eggs with Canadian bacon or sausage accompanied by toast and coffee. Lunch may be a ham and cheese sandwich made on crusty French-style or whole grain bread. Pea soup, served at home and in restaurants, is a favorite hearty weekend meal. Dinner may be ragoût de boulettes (spicy meatballs) or other meat dish, accompanied by potatoes, usually with gravy. Polite diners never put their elbows on the table until the meal is finished. Men may rest their forearms on the table, but women typically just hold their wrists against the table’s edge while dining.

In Quebec street vendors and restaurants sell a quick snack called poutine. Poutine is French fries smothered in gravy and sometimes with melted cheddar cheese curds. Although this is not considered a traditional French Canadian food, poutine is a very common and popular snack or accompaniment to a casual meal everywhere in Quebec.

6 POLITICS, ECONOMICS, AND NUTRITION


A major concern of French Canadians is the preservation of their French language and culture, since English is the dominant language in the rest of Canada and in their influential southern neighbor, the United States. A movement to separate the French-speaking province of Quebec from the rest of the country became a national issue in the 1970s; in 1980, voters defeated a proposal that would have granted Quebec its independence from Canada, but many French-Canadian separatists continue the campaign. Canadians in general receive adequate nutrition in their diets, and the health care system is funded by the government, covering about 75 percent of health care costs for Canadian families.

In "Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of Foods and Recipes of the World", Volume 1, Karen L. Hanson (editor), Gale Group, U.S.A, 2002, excerpts p. 69-76. Adapted and illustrated to be posted by Leopoldo Costa.