OT: What is Canadian Bacon?

[rewok]

OK, this is really starting to bug me. Sometimes in recipes on FoodTV and over the web, I've seen Canadian bacon listed. Now this week-end in Plattsburgh, on the breakfast menu it was there again! Now I've traveled a bit in English speaking Canada (mainly the Maritimes), and never saw such a thing on the restaurant menu. And needless to say it doesn't exist in Montreal either (or maybe I don't know the French word for it, but "bacon canadien" seems a good translation ). Is this a secret food you can only find in the States? Do any of my fellow Canadians know any thing about this?

 

[shaycamp21]

I think what they mean by Canadian Bacon is what we call Peal Meal Bacon which is more like a ham with a corn meal type crust on one side.

 

[drag n' fly]

Back bacon. It comes in a small roll and you cut off circles of it. Expensive but more meat for your dollar because it has virtually no fat on it.

 

[rewok]

Thanks a lot to both of you! I did a quick Google search with peameal and back bacon, and found some info and pictures. I'm still sure it doesn't exist here, but now at least I KNOW! It's no more a mystery secret food reserved for the US!!

 

[snowy76]

Mmmmmm.

See, you learn something new every day! I didn't know that Canadians didn't call it Canadian bacon!!

 

[TreesyB]

Mmmmmm.

See, you learn something new every day! I didn't know that Canadians didn't call it Canadian bacon!!

That's ham in that picture.

Pea Meal aka Back Bacon aka "Canadian Bacon" is:

 

[snowy76]

That's ham in that picture.

Nope, sorry - that's Canadian bacon the way I buy it at Wegman's in Syracuse, NY! Presliced thin. Sometimes I buy it unsliced. Have never seen Canadian bacon with the crust on it like you're showing.

 

[TreesyB]

Nope, sorry - that's Canadian bacon the way I buy it at Wegman's in Syracuse, NY! Presliced thin. Sometimes I buy it unsliced. Have never seen Canadian bacon with the crust on it like you're showing.

Wow! I feel so scandalized that anyone would dare call ham Canadian Bacon!

If that's Canadian Bacon, what does ham look like in the States?

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

yes....Canadian Bacon in the US is in fact ham....Canadian Bacon to a Canadian is peameal bacon.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

Bob and Doug must be shaking their heads right now!

 

[CanadianGuy]

yes....Canadian Bacon in the US is in fact ham....Canadian Bacon to a Canadian is peameal bacon.

This is my exact understanding of it.. having lived in the United States for 8 years and Canada for more than 29!

Knox

 

[bbangel]

Canadian bacon just comes from a particular part of the pig. I've never seen that pealmeal stuff. Canadian bacon is round and is very similar to ham (but is not ham).

 

[fan1080]

From wiki........

Back Bacon or Canadian Bacon

Back bacon is a lean meaty cut of bacon.

Canadian bacon is a term used in the United States and Canada, but with differing meanings. In the United States it refers to any lean meaty cut of bacon, and is sometimes used as a pizza topping. In Canada, Canadian bacon, which is also known as peameal bacon, refers to a specific variety of unsmoked lean bacon that has been sweet pickle-cured and coated in yellow cornmeal (originally, as the name suggests, peameal was used). Other proteins, such as turkey and beef, can be made in the style of Canadian bacon by employing this same sweet pickle and cornmeal process.

 

[nosnobunny2006]

We had friends from Georgia visiting us last week and they also thought that Canadian bacon was ham. I felt it was my moral obligation to enlighten them. Now they know.

On another note, they couldn't believe that we put pieces of bacon in our caesar salad.

Beth

 

[snowy76]

Who knew there was so much to learn about bacon... I mean ham... I mean... I don't know what I mean anymore...

 

[nosnobunny2006]

Who knew there was so much to learn about bacon... I mean ham... I mean... I don't know what I mean anymore...

Stick with us kid. We'll teach you.

Beth

 

[bbangel]

I think there must be regional differences on this. I have never heard of nor seen peameal bacon (or any other meat). Is this another of those strange things that Easteners eat?

 

[snowy76]

Stick with us kid. We'll teach you.

Beth

Show me your wise ways!

 

[tone.def]

Mmmmmm.
See, you learn something new every day! I didn't know that Canadians didn't call it Canadian bacon!!

Do Chinese people call chinese food "chinese food"?

 

[PanamaMike]

I've always found it funny that in the USA they call cheese slices "American cheese".