Western Canadian food and drink?

[chrisvogel]

We will be holding a fundraising event (cocktail party) with a western Canadian theme. We are looking for finger foods and beverages that fit, and would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks!

[chefathome]

And don't forget the prairie "oysters"!

[maplesugar]

Thinking of local producers here in Alberta some foods you may want to look at: Bison, pork, and beef (of course) saskatoonberries, honey, mustard... we also have local dairies that produce excellent milk and cheeses... I don't know exactly what you picture when you say "western Canadian" so here are a few resources:

http://www.slowfoodcalgary.ca/directory/ (comprehensive list of local producers
)http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$departme... (Gov Alberta Regional Directory of producers

)

HTH

[Minnow]

From a Winnipeg girl exiled in the Big Smoke:

Kielbasa
Rye Bread (Cub!)
Garlic Dills
Old Dutch Chips
Pic-a-pop
Perogies
Cabbage rolls
Big Rock or Moosehead beer
Saskatoon/saskatoon pie
Sex in a tray

Hmmm... that's all I have off the top of my head. They used to have "Winnipeg Socials" in Toronto, where they would serve all of the above. I'm having a hard time remembering what else, though!

[PaulV]

Calgary Ginger Beef - ok that's a bit obscure. Would be great for a cocktail party however.

Stampede Pancake Breakfast is another thing that comes to mind.

[kali_MM]

Some thoughts, to start:

Alberta beef
Alberta lamb
Saskatoons (perhaps a saskatoon mojito as a cocktail?)
Something Ukrainian - perogies perhaps
Wheat products
Local beer
Walleye
Bison
Local veggies
Bannock

[lagatta]

Are you talking Prairies or West Coast?

Prairies - red meat country - beef and bison. West Coast is Salmon, of course - the traditional culture was based on the abundance of salmon and other wealth of the coastal area.

Vancouver now has a huge population from everywhere around the Pacific rim, in particular East and South Asia, but do to the oil boom even Albertan cities are becoming fare more cosmopolitan than before. The Prairies are also one of the world's great breadbaskets, and pierogi made by Eastern European settlers are a traditional food.

Good wines from BC.

[chrisvogel]

Hi Iaquatta,

Thanks for this. We were thinking prairies.

Best,
Chris