Montreal Museum Explores Culture Through Food

Did you ever think that shepherd’s pie represents the three founding cultures of Canada? A new exhibit at Montreal’s Château Ramezay Museum wants us to consider it. Corn from our First Nations peoples, they say, beef from the French and potatoes from the British.

History of shepherd’s pie

While corn is undeniably a New World food associated with our First Nations peoples, it is rather difficult to pigeon hole the beef and potatoes in shepherd’s pie. The name we use today for the popular meat is derived from the French boeuf, but beef was also eaten in Britain throughout the Middle Ages. As for the potato, it is a New World food taken back to Europe by the Spanish. It was accepted more quickly by the British than the French, but was grown elsewhere in northern Europe.

Shepherd’s pie – or pâté chinois as many know it in Quebec – is but one of a number of peasant dishes designed to use up leftovers and to stretch the household food budget. The British had cottage pie as early as 1791. The French had Hachis Parmentier in the 18th century as well. Another dish called cowboy pie was known in New England.

Let’s Eat!

Take an afternoon to learn about the eating habits of New France, and reflect on how traditions endure even today. Visit the Let’s Eat! exhibition at . . .

Read more: Food Exhibit at Montreal Museum . . .

If you enjoy the articles in this blog please feel free to visit my other published works at Associated Content. Thanks!

Tags: culture, enrichment, field trips, food, museums, Quebec