If you’ve ever been to Canada, then you know this country’s obsession with maple. The second you cross the border you are bombarded with all things maple. If you didn’t know any better you would think Canadians lived off a diet of maple cookies washed down with pure maple syrup.
Though I can’t speak for all, many Canadians struggle with what it means to be a Canuck. Besides Celine Dion, hockey and definitely maple syrup we don’t have anything that stands out as distinctly Canadian. Okay, maybe poutine. As a result Canadians can be extremely pushy about their maple syrup. Unless you’re my roommate who insists on Aunt Jemima, you proudly eat the real stuff (I still love you Sab!).
Unlike most grade schoolers who go on field trips to the zoo or the acquiarium, Canadians visit The Sugar Shack where we stand in the freezing cold and witness the arduous task of making maple syrup. It’s sad to me that Canadians try so desperately to find an identity. What I love most about this country is how multicultural we are. This is especially true in Toronto where you are surrounded by an infinite number of languages and cultures. We should pride ourselves on the fact that everyone is different, rather than one cohesive personality.
Maple is pretty damn good, but Canadians are so much more than a sugary condiment!
Maple Cinnamon Sunbutter
by
Prep Time: 10 mins
Keywords: blender raw dairy-free gluten-free vegan nut-free sunflower seeds
Ingredients (Yields: 1 cup)
- 2 cups raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
- 1 T coconut oil, melted
- 1 T maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
1. Add sunflower seeds to a food processor and process for 2 mins.
2. Add in coconut oil and maple syrup and continue processing until butter is smooth. May take several minutes. Scrape sides as necessary.
3. Add in vanilla, cinnamon and sea salt and process until well-combined.
4. Keep at room temperature for several weeks or longer in refrigerator (but will harden in fridge).
Have you ever been to Canada? Does your country have a national identity?
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117 Comments
Elyse @ Lizzie Fit
January 9, 2014 at 8:18 amYay for fellow Canadians 🙂 Its true that we are always trying to make something our “National _____”, but the coolest thing about Canada is that we are so International. I have everything at home to make this sunbutter. I might go for it this weekend 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:13 pmLove how international we are! A friend was visiting me and pointed out how every single person looked different as we walked down the street. Very proud of our multiculturalism! Thanks for stopping by Elyse!
kathy @ vodka and soda
January 9, 2014 at 7:54 amso. i’m not a fan of maple syrup. never have been. same with poutine…i can’t bring myself to eat a bowl of yeast infection. i guess i’m not a real canadian then?
kathy
Vodka and Soda
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:12 pmThanks for tainting poutine for me ya bitch.
Elise @ 9toFit.com
January 9, 2014 at 7:41 amLove that this is simple but a way to switch up my peanut butter routine
Amy @ Long Drive Journey
January 9, 2014 at 7:39 amGirl, I am totally making this! I think it’s a nut butter (can I call it that if they are sunflower seeds?) that I would actually be able to eat! And it sounds so good! The one great thing about maple syrup in Canada is that everyone seemed to provide it for free! I was at brunch the other day and I was offered maple syrup for a $2 up charge. Say whaaat?
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:11 pmNuh uh not cool! So happy you were able to try some true Canadian MS!
Madison
January 9, 2014 at 7:14 amI haven’t been to Canada–but I hope to one day real soon! I love maple stuff…funny story: in high school for breakfast I used to be OBSESSED with that maple brown sugar flavored oatmeal. Well, let’s just say I used it so much that it stunk up my parents microwave and they ended up tossing it and getting a new one! all because of me. 🙂 haha!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:09 pmME TOOOOO! I used to turn down my mom’s homemade for the packaged stuff! So weird lol
Joanne
January 9, 2014 at 7:12 amI can’t argue with maple love! Especially in nut butters. Yum!
taylor @ taylormade
January 9, 2014 at 6:45 amone look at that ingredient list and I know I have to make this. so much deliciousness!!!
Taylor @ FoodFaithFitness
January 9, 2014 at 6:39 amI have a confession. I am Canadian and I don’t enjoy hockey and I am not overly fond of maple syrup. Terrible eh?
How-ev-errrr, I may need to revisit that last thought for this maple cinnamon sunbutter! I have never made my own nut butter and have been wanting to try!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:08 pmI forgive you! Well mostly for the hockey part because I could do without hockey, but maple??! Could never live without it!
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles
January 9, 2014 at 6:27 amI love maple peanut butter (Mighty Maple from Peanut Butter & Co.) and I love hockey so maybe I should live in Canada. I have been to Toronto twice and loved it!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:07 pmThat PB is so good! One of my fav places in NYC…maybe we should switch places!
D @ The Kosher Cave Girl
January 9, 2014 at 6:24 amMmmm. This looks so yummy! I would definitely stand outside the Sugar Shack to see how maple syrup is made over a school trip to the aquarium any day!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:05 pmYou would definitely have been the over eager kid eating all the maple syrup haha!
Ksenija @ With An Open Mind
January 9, 2014 at 6:16 amMaple and Cinnamon is such an awesome taste combination! But I am really not a fan of sun butter. Somehow it dries out my mouth and makes the experience a lot less enjoyable. Did you notice something like that or was there something wrong with my sunflower seeds?
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:04 pmI didn’t find that…it’s definitely earthy tasting and kind of grainy. It needs the coconut oil to make it more “butter” like and the maple for the sweetness. I’d say it’s an acquired taste!
Lucie@FitSwissChicl
January 9, 2014 at 5:12 amI LOVE making my own nutbutter – thanks for that recipe!! I’m still awaiting my Ninja Blender though, let’s hope it arrives SOOOON!!
I get you on the identity – if someone hears Switzerland, they start jodeling, speak of cows, richness, banks and cheese. At least we are also popular for chocolate – I like that one 🙂
One of my best friends is Canadian and I’ve been to Vancouver once – but I definitely want to go back one day for longer!!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 9:54 pmWill you let me know how the ninja is?? I’m in the market for a new blender and have been looking into a ninja! Thanks, love!