Traditional Québécois cuisine is a hearty, soulful fusion of French culinary foundations and the practical, high-calorie needs of early North American settlers. The most world-renowned dish is Poutine, consisting of crispy fries topped with fresh cheese curds and a rich brown gravy. Beyond fast food, the "Habitant" spirit is best represented by Tourtière, a spiced meat pie (usually pork, beef, or game) served traditionally during the holidays. Soupe aux pois (yellow pea soup with salt pork) is another staple dating back centuries. For breakfast, many locals enjoy Cretons, a cold pork spread seasoned with cinnamon and cloves, served on toast. Quebec is also the world's maple syrup capital, leading to unique desserts like Pouding chômeur (poor man's pudding), which is a white cake soaked in maple syrup or caramel. During "Sugar Shack" season, you'll also find Tire sur la neige, where hot maple syrup is poured onto fresh snow and rolled onto a stick to create a chewy taffy.