Do you know what the holidays are like in Quebec? Food is part of a people’s identity and has a high affective value. If you were born in Brazil, dishes such as rice with lentils, tenders, farofa, mayonnaise, turkey with caramelized fruit, and pavê are meaningful.
You can remember the supper at your grandmother’s house, an uncle’s spice, a godmother’s hug with gifts…
If humans love to eat, the holidays are the perfect opportunity to do so! In Quebec, there are a variety of delicious recipes that mark this season on family tables. Here in this post, we will bring you some of the most well-known typical dishes and the recipes!
So, besides getting to know them, you can risk making one or the other and add some Québécois spice to your table!
Quebec’s end-of-year parties: recettes
Quebec’s end-of-year festivities: La dinde de Noël
In most Western countries turkey is the main course, and in Quebec it is no different. What makes this recipe peculiar is the way it is roasted, as well as the selection of spices that leave the bird in a unique crispy texture. What do you think about trying the recipe and also practicing your French? Read here!
Quebec’s New Year’s Eve festivities: La farce de Noël
After roasting, it’s time to stuff the turkey! Similar to Brazil, it is customary to prepare a farofa to make the dish even more flavorful. However, instead of cassava flour, a base of crumbled bread is used, sauteed in butter and seasoned with onion soup. Check out the recipe!
Quebec’s end-of-year parties: Les atocas
The tradition is clear: nobody eats turkey withoutsauce aux canneberges as an accompaniment, a sweetened sauce made from a small, red fruit called cranberry. Quebec is the world’s second largest producer of the food, also called atoca. Here in Brazil, you probably know the little fruit as cranberry. The recipe is here!
Quebec’s end-of-year festivities: La tourtière
Every country has a gastronomic disagreement, between regions, about a traditional dish. In Quebec, the confusion is over the Tourtière, a pie made of beef, pork, and potatoes and common on the celebratory tables of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The inhabitants of Saguenay/Lac St-Jean have been saying for decades that the real tourtière is different, more filling and filling. For them, the recipe usually prepared is nothing more than a pâté à la viande, or simply a meat pie .
Regardless of the conflict, how about making both recipes and comparing which one you find more delicious?
New Year’s Eve in Quebec: La bûche de Noël / Le gâteau aux fruits
Every self-respecting supper must have dessert, often more than one. Two options constantly present on Quebec tables are La bûche de Noël and Le gâteau aux fruits. The former is a chocolate, vanilla, and walnut mousse rocambole, while the latter is a spiced and aromatic fruit cake.
Both desserts are worth trying! A La bûche de Noël is easier to make, but, believe me, the Le gâteau aux fruits it is very worthwhile.
After this gastronomic tour, you have a real traditional Quebec supper at your disposal. Explore the flavors of the province and even practice your French with these typical recipes. Tasting food is an interesting way to connect with a country. In a way, through the cuisine, you will be living a Quebec experience.
Here on the École Québec blog, you will find lots of information, tips and guidance on learning Québécois French and opportunities for study and work in Quebec. Explore our content!
