Re: [CH] Mexican heat (was law)

Mike Huculak (bear1@videotron.ca)
Wed, 4 Apr 2001 10:47:46 -0400 

>But seriously, with perhaps the exception of the fairly recent Asian
>immigrants, could you say the average Canadian is a hot-head?

Certainly not, but neither is the average American.

>and I'd say it's for two basic reasons: 1) The early
>east to west migration to Canada came from European cultures not known
>for spicy-hot food;

True, however that was well over a hundred years ago. In the last
twenty-five years there
has been a large influx of West Indian, Indian/Pakistani and other Asian
cultures
which are known for spicy-hot food.

>and 2) Growing chiles in the northern latitudes
>takes considerable extra effort that we here in the more southerly
>latitudes don't have to deal with.

If your refering to Yellowknife which is about 250 miles south of the
Arctic Circle, you better believe it. However, the majority of Canadians
live in a
zone no more than 200 miles from the U. S, border.

I live in Montreal and grow my own starting them indoors in January, moving
them outside by the first week of June. I have a couple of friends who do
the
same. Mind you, the majority of my buddies often ask why I make perfectly
good
food inedible by anyone but myself. Whether this is a Canadian thing, I
don't know.
I've made chili, my way, in Florida and had Americans asking me the same
thing.

And yes, fantastic bagels are available in Montreal, if you know where to
get them,
hot out of the oven no less.

Mike Huculak
I AM a Canajun Chilehead of the extreme persusation.
This year's planting: Carribean Reds, Orange Habs, Fatalii, Datil, Tabasco,
Amarillo,
Bolivian Rainbow, Super Chili, Yellow Cayenne, Long Cayenne, Japanese Hot
Claw,
Argentina, Hungarian Hot, Inca Hot, Inca Red Drop and for my wuss buddies
Serranno.



----- Original Message -----
From: Rich McCormack
To: peter g ; CH List
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2001 12:35 PM
Subject: Re: [CH] Mexican heat (was law)



peter g wrote:

> LOTSA Canadians like chile-hot foods !  self included.
> and while i'm not known for being a particularly tolerant-type ...
> "I Am Canadian" & therefore ... oughta know.
> several other Canadian CH'ers might quietly agree, if they're not
> too busy feeding their sled dogs & cutting ice blocks for igloos.

I figured I might get a rise out of you chile-head Canucks out there.
But seriously, with perhaps the exception of the fairly recent Asian
immigrants, could you say the average Canadian is a hot-head?  I'd
have to say no...and I'd say it's for two basic reasons: 1) The early
east to west migration to Canada came from European cultures not known
for spicy-hot food; and 2) Growing chiles in the northern latitudes
takes considerable extra effort that we here in the more southerly
latitudes don't have to deal with.

My "offhand over-generalizations" didn't just pop up without any
qualifications.  I've visited friends and relatives in Canada and
they've visited me here in sunny SoCal.  I can't recall any of 'em
that didn't think My Chile was a little too hot to handle...and,
I make My Chile on the mild side of medium so everyone can enjoy
and those who like can add some salsa, hot sauce or jalapenos to
jack it up a notch or two.

Well, there is the exception of one of my younger cousins.  She had
occasion to try My Chile and really liked...though I don't think she
added any extra heat.  She asked me if I'd send her the details of
how I make it, and I did.

     "...chop up some fresh poblano, jalapeno and seranno
      chiles...add some ground dried ancho, chipotle, New
      Mex and California chiles..."

"Year, right," she writes back, "and just where am I gonna find
all those things here in Yellowknife..."

--
Rich McCormack (Poway, CA) macknet@pacbell.net

Who is Rich McCormack?  Find out at...
http://home.pacbell.net/macknet/