NORTH AMERICAN FOOD CULTURE
North American cuisine is a mix of many cultures, including American, Canadian, Mexican, Caribbean and Central American cuisine, as well as many European influences. Most regions have stark differences, due to the wide-ranging conditions, climates, and cultures.
In this subcontinent, you can find any type of food. From seafood to tex-mex to barbecue… There are too many types to mention, far more than hot dogs and hamburgers which is what people tend to think about. We shouldn’t discount the smaller countries and their cultures, because they each have their own distinct cuisine with different spices, flavours, ingredients, and techniques. This being said, let’s look at the main regions in North America: the US, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean:
US cuisine
In this country, you can find any type of food. This is due to the fact that people came to live in the US from all over the world and brought their culture with them. Food is influenced by its colonial ties as well as what is available (fish, meat, vegetables, etc.). This is why most of the European influence is located on the East Coast, although it is noticeable across the entire country. There is a strong tradition of regional cuisine, with the main regions being the Northeast, the Midwest, the South, the West, and the Pacific.
In the Northeast, seafood dishes like clam chowder, lobster, salmon and cod are common. Meat is also present in dishes like stews and scrapple.
In the Midwest, traditional cuisine is based on wheat, cheese, beef, and pork. Typical dishes here include the Chicago style hot dog, Cincinnati chili, steak and pizza of many different styles.
In the South, the typical cuisine is mostly what is known as comfort food. A typical dish comes with fried chicken, peas, greens, mashed potatoes, and cornbread. Other typical dishes are usually made with corn, beans, and vegetables. These include grits, hushpuppies or a traditional barbecue.
In the West, there are vastly different types of traditional cuisine due to the wide area it encompasses. Areas closer to Mexico have been greatly influenced by their cuisine, creating Tex-Mex. Asian influence can be felt nearer the coast with fusion cuisine, as well as a greater presence of seafood. More towards the interior, the influence of ranching and cowboys has left its mark with beef and outdoor cooking is common. Typical dishes include Rocky Mountain oysters, bison burgers and tacos.
In the Pacific, most dishes are based around fruit and vegetables that were traditionally available on the islands and fish. Meat was mostly introduced later on. Typical dishes include chicken long rice, Kalua pig and Lomi salmon.
Canadian cuisine:
In this country, food has had three major influences. The first comes from the original settlers, the second comes from the French and British colonies and the third came with other immigrants, especially from Asia.
Again, this country’s cuisine is divided into regions, but it has some common elements that can be found in most areas such as veal, deer, elk, and caribou. Most Canadians feel that poutine is the national dish, although when outsiders think about this country, they think about maple syrup which is also very common.
In northern regions, people eat seal meat and birds such as duck, geese, grouse or ptarmigan.
In western regions, various types of salmon are prevalent.
Mexican cuisine:
Traditional Mexican cuisine comes from native foods such as corn, beans, squash, amaranth, chia, avocados, tomatoes, tomatillos, cacao, vanilla, agave, turkey, spirulina, sweet potato, cactus, and chili pepper. Some of these were grown by indigenous people and others (especially meat) were introduced by the Spanish. Although each region has its own dishes, most regions contain the staples of Mexican cuisine. Some typical dishes include pozole, tacos, huarache, cochinita pibil, and mole.
Central American cuisine:
This region is a mix between food commonly found in both the rest of North America and elements of South American food. Each country has its own traditional food, but common elements include peppers, corn, and beans. As expected, meat is common in interior regions and seafood is present in coastal regions. Typical dishes here include pupusas, gallo pinto, and sancocho.
Caribbean cuisine:
Food in this region has been influenced by people from all over the world, from Africa to Europe to Latin America and even Asian influences. All of this has created a unique flavour. Ingredients that are common in most islands' dishes are rice, plantains, beans, cassava, culantro, bell peppers, chickpeas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, coconut, and any of various meats that are locally available like beef, poultry, pork or fish. Traditional dishes include goat stew, pelau, ackee and saltfish, and callaloo.