Fansided

15 Canadian things America should trade for to form a pop culture super team

By Sarah Crocker

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 16: Derek Drouin of Canada celebrates with the Canadian flag after winning the gold medal in the Men's High Jump Final on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 16: Derek Drouin of Canada celebrates with the Canadian flag after winning the gold medal in the Men's High Jump Final on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
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BRISTOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: French fries from a fast food outlet is seen on January 7, 2013 in Bristol, England. A government-backed TV advert – made by Aardman, the creators of Wallace and Gromit – to promote healthy eating in England, is to be shown for the first time later today. England has one of the highest rates of obesity in Europe – costing the NHS 5 billion GDP each year – with currently over 60 percent of adults and a third of 10 and 11 year olds thought to be overweight or obese. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: French fries from a fast food outlet is seen on January 7, 2013 in Bristol, England. A government-backed TV advert – made by Aardman, the creators of Wallace and Gromit – to promote healthy eating in England, is to be shown for the first time later today. England has one of the highest rates of obesity in Europe – costing the NHS 5 billion GDP each year – with currently over 60 percent of adults and a third of 10 and 11 year olds thought to be overweight or obese. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) /

4. French fries for poutine

Despite the name, french fries are a beloved part of American cuisine. You can certainly find it in other countries, where they give them confusing names like “chips” or the mildly horrifying “finger chips”. Still, I defy you to enter a classic burger joint here in the states and not find yourself overcome with the smell of frying potatoes.

And yet, my fellow Americans, we must concede that french fries have a superior cousin: poutine.

Surely, you’ve heard of the Canadian dish. It starts off with your standard french fries, but then ups the ante with gravy and cheese curds. No, it’s not exactly a low-calorie sort of treat. But how could you not salivate at the thought of fried carbs smothered in gooey cheese and warm, savory gravy?

Poutine originates from Quebec, the French-speaking Canadian province that also gave us Celine Dion. It’s traditionally found in places like pubs, greasy spoon diners, and food truck-style settings (called cabanes à patates, or “potato shacks”, in French Canadian parlance). Of course, you are also highly likely to find poutine in another uber-Canadian place – hockey arenas.

It’s true that, sometimes, additions to the classic french fries are dicey. Think of fries smothered in bright yellow nacho cheese, for instance. Maybe that drives you wild with hunger, but I’m more apt to carefully consider my other deep fried options.

If it helps, poutine has already made numerous inroads into the United States food culture. A version known as “disco fries” first became popular in New Jersey during the 1970s. Omaha-style poutine includes chives and sour cream. If you live in a metropolitan area, there’s already a hipster foodie spot that’s serving them this very moment. I’m willing to bet on it.

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