Eating your way across Canada

What to eat and where on your trip across Canada

The anticipation of savouring the succulent taste of a sweet Atlantic lobster dipped in hot butter is almost as wonderful as the actual meal itself. It’s also just one of Canada’s regional foods that RVers can experience as they travel across the country from the west coast of British Columbia and over the Rockies towards the Atlantic provinces on the east coast. Canada’s diversified terrain and geography as well as its early settlers has influenced the types of foods each area has become known for.

Starting on the west coast, Pacific salmon was an important food source to the early First Nations people and it has become a favourite for both locals and visitors whether it is smoked, baked, barbecued or fried over a hot fire. Although it would be a fantastic experience to catch your own salmon, it’s OK to buy one at any of the fish markets or stores that sell fresh fish. The best eating salmon is the sockeye, but don’t turn down a chance of having any delectable fish that’s available.

Prairie oysters are an acquired taste and best known in areas where cattle ranching is a predominant lifestyle. Alberta’s world-famous beef and the farming communities of the prairies make it possible for healthy choices when eating out or shopping for a steak and vegetables to grill over a barbecue after a busy day of seeing the sights and enjoying the wide open spaces around you.

Many cities in Canada are influenced by the cultures of their residents and Toronto is a prime example of having a rich blend of people from all over the world. The diversity of the delicious food available makes it possible to find any ethnic food you may be looking for. With over 8,000 restaurants to choose from, the only complaint will be that it’s not possible to try them all.

Maple syrup poured over snow and put on a stick is a treat many people enjoy in Quebec. For those whose travels take them through the province in the summer, the local maple syrup is outstanding when poured over breakfast pancakes. Devouring a hot bowl of delicious pea soup or consuming a local variety of poutine is a must for lunch. A heaping bowl of fries, gravy and cheese curds is probably not the best thing if you’re on a diet, but the poutine sold from one of the food trucks has to be sampled.

The Maritimes are known as the lobster capital of the world and it’s probably true—but it’s not the only thing to eat here. Influenced by both the British and Irish settlers, corned beef and cabbage is popular and a traditional meal on Sundays around Newfoundland and Labrador is the one pot meal called Jiggs’ Dinner.

Experimenting with local foods is just one of the benefits of travelling to a new or different area, and but that doesn’t necessarily mean only eating in restaurants. Grocery shopping also creates an opportunity for finding foods that aren’t normally available to you and for creating new much-loved recipes.

Travelling across Canada in an RV is a very popular trip that many make, exploring the historic sites and enjoying the beautiful landscapes as they travel from one coast to the other. Don’t forget to experience the delicious flavours and distinctive foods along the way.