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Where in the World: Montreal, Quebec

By all accounts, Montreal is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in North America. Its vibrant French-influenced culture boasts some of the world’s best architecture, nightlife, shopping, and of course, food.

The greater Montreal area has a population of about 3.5 million, and although the majority of the people speak French (either native or learned), they come from all cultures and walks of life. This varied culture is part of what makes Montreal’s food scene so exciting. The city’s food ranges from world-renowned bagels and Jewish smoked meat, to the popular French Canadian classic of fries, gravy and cheese known as poutine, to Japanese, Greek, Portuguese, African, and Caribbean cuisines. Montreal’s food scene is so popular that in 2006 Gourmet magazine devoted an entire issue to its cuisine. (Since the magazine began printing, it has only devoted five other issues to a single city.)

The people of Montreal love fresh food, and it is accessible and affordable. In the summertime, some of the main attractions for those in search of delicious local fare are the various open air markets that boast produce, meats, seafood, and dairy products from in and around the region. Atwater, Jean-Talon, Maisonneuve, and Lachine are just a few of the larger markets filled with sumptuous summertime offerings. Each of these markets not only supports local produce stalls, but each one also has year-round shops that can fulfill all your grocery needs. Some summer produce highlights are Quebec blueberries, strawberries, plums, apricots, cantaloupes, and of course, herbs.

Another well-known food strip for many of the new visitors and newly immigrated is St-Laurent Boulevard. While meandering your way uphill from the St-Laurent metro stop up to St. Viateur (bagels, bagels, bagels), you will come across La Vieille Europe, a European-style gourmet shop with cheeses, cold cuts, chocolates, and coffees. Charcuterie Hongroise, a butcher shop with some of the best cured hams Montreal has to offer. Don’t forget Epicerie Segal, a Portuguese bakery with crusty rolls seemingly made for the sole purpose of enveloping freshly sliced rotisserie chicken.

A more traditional meal out of French Quebec is called tourtiere. Traditionally served during Reveillon (the hours heralding in Christmas and New Year’s Day), this dish can be enjoyed anytime of the year. As alternatives, try them in 4” pie shells for a tasty picnic lunch, or substitute flaked fresh salmon instead of meat with dill and thyme as your seasoning herbs.

Tourtiere
1 lb. ground pork
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 med. onion, finely chopped
1/2 c. water
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. fresh thyme
1 tsp. fresh sage, minced
3 tsp. fresh parsley, minced
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 small jalapeno, diced for some extra heat (optional)

Cook all ingredients together except pie crust, stirring constantly until meat is light brown in appearance, but still moist, about 4-5 minutes.
Prepare favorite pie crust.

Pour mixture into pastry lined pie plate, cover with top crust that has slits in it. Seal and press firmly around edges with a fork. Bake at 400° for 35 to 40 minutes until crust is golden brown. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before cutting.
For a deliciously light dessert, whip up fresh heavy cream sweetened with organic Quebec maple syrup (3 tablespoons per pint of cream). Serve with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and apricots tossed with a few fresh mint leaves.