With the annual punk rock Pouzza festival hitting the mean potholed streets of downtown Montreal this coming weekend, it seemed an opportune time to investigate just what a pouzza really is.
Quebec might not be known for its culinary delicacies but any traveler venturing out that way we be told that they absolutely must try a poutine while exploring la belle province. And that is the truth.
Now we’ve raised a second question before answering the first; so lets begin our investigation at poutine.
What is a poutine? Well, poutine is a Quebecois dish that has evolved significantly over the years. To the point where restaurants have dedicated themselves to all forms and bastardizations of the sacred belly busting meal. Originating in the early 1950’s, to an unknown originator. Although many lay claim, none have the proper proof to be identified as the original source.
At its most simplest, a poutine is really just french fries, curd cheese – and let it be known that anything other than curd cheese is liable to start a riot or at the very least a strongly, albeit polite, verbal beat down. Oh and sauce. That’s it. Simple. Of course, you then have a half billion gourmet options that we will save for another article. Bacon pairs well. As it does with everything imaginable. Some restaurants will fancy up the simple dish with all manor of things. Philly steak is a personal favorite of mine. Sausage works well too. Mushrooms. You name it – anything goes.
For many years, it was perceived negatively and mocked, and even used by some to stigmatize Quebec society. Poutine later became celebrated as a symbol of Québécois cultural pride. Its rise in prominence led to its popularity outside the province, especially in Ontario, the Maritimes, and in the Northeastern United States.
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Annual poutine celebrations occur in Montreal, Quebec City, and Drummondville, as well as Toronto, Ottawa, and Chicago. Today, it is often identified as a quintessential Canadian food. It has been called “Canada’s national dish”, though some believe this labeling represents a misappropriation of Québécois national identity. Many variations on the original recipe are popular, leading some to suggest that poutine has emerged as a new dish classification in its own right.
Now that we’ve figured out what that is, we can discover just what a pouzza is. And its equally as simple.
First, get a pizza. Any pizza you like, although some styles work better than others. This of course comes down to personal taste. It goes without saying that if you pick Hawaiian pizza for this recipe – or, well, ever; you’re a monster.
Right. Now get a poutine, and dump it on top of your pizza. Voila. There you have it! A heart attack waiting to happen. Also known as a pouzza! Pou(tine) (pi)zza; a poutine on a pizza.
Sounds disgusting. Looks worse. Tastes like heaven. Will probably cause your arteries to clog and kill you, but whatever, live a little!
