Since some foods are not grown locally in Quebec, it is sometimes difficult for consumers to find local alternatives.
Our home is overflowing with a variety of delicious products, and our mission is to always showcase them. So, here are some local substitutes to try and incorporate into your Quebec pantry!
Camelina oil
Although olive oil is delicious and versatile, one local oil is just as delicious and that is the one made from camelina.
Camelina is a plant whose seeds are known for their many benefits and nutritional properties. Its nutritional properties are numerous, and among these, it is particularly high in omega-3 and natural antioxidants. Camelina oil is light and elegant with an intense and well-balanced aroma!
It also offers one of the highest smoke points on the market at 246°C (475°F), making it a perfect choice for high-temperature cooking.
Gorria Pepper
Still a fan of spice in your dishes? The market garden of the hosts of our podcast Les Idées Radicules , Le Jardin des Chefs , grows Gorria pepper, also known as Espelette pepper, which refers to the powder made from the dried fruit of the Gorria pepper!
With its mild, almost herbaceous flavor and acidity reminiscent of tomatoes, Espelette from Quebec is a key ingredient for adding a touch of spice and flavor to meats, vegetables, fish and anything else you like!
Sea Buckthorn Berries
Sea buckthorn is the fruit to choose to replace your craving for tropical and exotic fruits!
Belonging to the olive family, it is a shrub that produces a bright orange fruit with a slightly bitter taste. Sea buckthorn has many benefits, the main one being that it is an excellent source of omega-3, 6, and 7.
Les Argousiers Ste-Christine , in Montérégie, is a human-scale sea buckthorn farm that has developed through agroecology and permaculture values. Paule Ratté, the owner, offers different ways to consume this little fruit: in infusion, juice, jelly, smoothie... her practices are practically endless!
Sea salt
It's now possible to cook with 100% local sea salt thanks to local businesses that harvest it directly from our beautiful St. Lawrence!
Sel Saint-Laurent , one of the companies that harvests this salt, always ensures to minimize its GHG impact and draws the salt in a remarkable way: directly through the ice. At a depth of more than 200 meters off the coast of Grandes-Bergeronnes on the Upper North Shore, Sel Saint-Laurent is the very first Quebec sea salt to be extracted from the river.
And it's not the only company offering this new local product. Alcyon , a family business from Havre-aux-Maisons in the Magdalen Islands, produces quality sea salt while respecting sustainable development. Evaporated from the seawater surrounding this breathtaking archipelago, Alcyon is distinguished by its softness and crunchiness.
Quebec amazes us once again with its delicious generosity!
Honey
Processed white sugar is a thing of the past! There are plenty of good reasons to replace sugar with honey in your recipes, whether for nutritional benefits or simply for the taste.
Being less processed than sugar, it offers vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants not found in refined sugar. It also has a lower glycemic index, making it a sweeter alternative.
In addition to adding a unique flavor, it makes baked goods fluffier thanks to its natural moisture. Some types of honey, like those from Miel Fontaine , have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties , while also providing a quick source of energy.
It is therefore entirely possible to eat local while diversifying your pantry with Quebec substitutes!
You'll see that eating local can be both delicious and beneficial for the community!
By choosing local products, such as local honey, maple syrups or seasonal fruits and vegetables, you support local producers while enriching your recipes with unique flavors.
Exploring these local options not only allows you to discover new substitutes, but also to contribute to a more sustainable and responsible diet!
