National Poutine Day (April 11) History, Activities, and Why We Love It

0
Advertisement

Learn about the history and origins of National Poutine Day, discover fun activities to enjoy on the day, and explore the reasons why Canadians love and celebrate this iconic dish.

National Poutine Day is a day dedicated to celebrating the Canadian dish known as poutine. Poutine is a popular fast food dish made of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy, which originated in the province of Quebec in Canada. National Poutine Day is typically celebrated on April 11th each year, and is marked by various events and promotions at restaurants and food establishments across Canada. The day is a celebration of Canadian cuisine and culture, and is a time for Canadians to indulge in this iconic dish and share their love for it with others.

History of National Poutine Day

The history of National Poutine Day is not entirely clear, as there are several different organizations and individuals who claim to have created the holiday. However, it is generally accepted that the holiday originated in Quebec, where poutine has long been a popular dish.

One popular theory is that National Poutine Day was created by a group of students at a university in Quebec in the early 2000s. These students reportedly organized a celebration of poutine on April 11th, and the holiday grew in popularity from there.

Another theory is that National Poutine Day was created by a group of food bloggers who wanted to promote the dish and encourage more people to try it. These bloggers reportedly began promoting the holiday on social media in the early 2010s, and it quickly gained traction among Canadians.

Advertisement

Regardless of its origins, National Poutine Day has become a beloved holiday in Canada, with many restaurants and food establishments offering specials and promotions on April 11th each year. The holiday is a celebration of Canadian cuisine and culture, and has helped to popularize poutine both within Canada and around the world.

Poutine

Source: pixabay.com

National Poutine Day Activities

There are many activities that can be enjoyed on National Poutine Day, depending on your location and personal preferences. Here are a few ideas:

  1. Try different variations of poutine: Many restaurants and food establishments offer special poutine dishes on National Poutine Day, so it’s a great opportunity to try different variations of the classic dish. You can also experiment with making your own poutine at home with different types of cheese, gravy, and toppings.
  2. Attend a poutine festival: Some cities and towns hold poutine festivals or competitions on National Poutine Day, where you can sample different types of poutine from various vendors and vote for your favorite.
  3. Take a poutine tour: Some cities offer guided tours of the best poutine spots in town, so you can try different versions of the dish and learn about the history and culture of poutine.
  4. Host a poutine party: Invite friends over for a poutine party and ask everyone to bring their favorite toppings to share. You can also have a poutine-making competition to see who can come up with the most creative and delicious version of the dish.
  5. Learn about the history of poutine: Take some time to learn about the history and cultural significance of poutine, including its origins in Quebec and how it has evolved over time. You can also watch documentaries or read articles about the dish to deepen your knowledge.

Whatever you choose to do on National Poutine Day, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate Canadian cuisine and culture and indulge in a delicious and iconic dish.

Why We Love and Celebrate National Poutine Day

There are many reasons why Canadians love and celebrate National Poutine Day. Here are a few:

  1. It’s a delicious and satisfying dish: Poutine is a comforting and filling dish that combines the savory flavors of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy. It’s a favorite among Canadians and is often seen as a symbol of Canadian cuisine.
  2. It’s a celebration of Canadian culture: Poutine originated in Quebec, and has become a beloved dish across Canada. Celebrating National Poutine Day is a way to honor and showcase Canadian culture and cuisine.
  3. It’s a fun and social occasion: National Poutine Day is a great excuse to get together with friends and family to enjoy a delicious meal and celebrate Canadian culture. Whether you go out to a restaurant or host a poutine party at home, it’s a fun and social occasion.
  4. It’s an opportunity to try new variations of the dish: Many restaurants and food establishments offer special poutine dishes on National Poutine Day, which gives Canadians the opportunity to try new and creative variations of the classic dish.
  5. It’s a chance to support local businesses: National Poutine Day is a busy day for many restaurants and food establishments that serve poutine, which can help support local businesses and boost the local economy.

Overall, Canadians love and celebrate National Poutine Day because it’s a fun and delicious way to honor Canadian culture, support local businesses, and enjoy one of Canada’s most iconic dishes.

Poutine Recipes

Here are two poutine recipes you can try at home:

  1. Classic Poutine Recipe

Ingredients:

Advertisement
  • 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick fries
  • 2 cups cheese curds
  • 2 cups beef gravy
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Spread the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet and drizzle with melted butter.
  3. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
  4. In a saucepan, heat the beef gravy over medium heat until it comes to a simmer.
  5. To assemble the poutine, place a layer of fries in a serving dish, followed by a layer of cheese curds, and a ladle of gravy. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used up.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve immediately and enjoy!
  8. Vegetarian Poutine Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick fries
  • 2 cups vegetarian cheese curds
  • 2 cups vegetarian gravy
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Spread the sweet potato fries in a single layer on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
  4. In a saucepan, heat the vegetarian gravy over medium heat until it comes to a simmer.
  5. To assemble the poutine, place a layer of sweet potato fries in a serving dish, followed by a layer of vegetarian cheese curds, and a ladle of vegetarian gravy. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used up.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Note: For a vegan version of this recipe, you can use vegan cheese and gravy instead of dairy-based products.

Leave A Reply