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
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
January 9, 2014 at 1:31 pmI have to be honest, I love Aunt Jemima too because I grew up on it! I’m going to Toronto in April so when I cross the border I will find everything and anything maple! Yum!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:47 pmAnd you better be calling me when you get here!
Danielle @ Green is the New Black
January 9, 2014 at 1:21 pmI’m a big maple syrup fan (even though I’m not Canadian!) My grandparents had a house in Vermont when I was growing up and its pretty big there too! I think the US is pretty similar; everyone seems to have a different idea of what it means to be “American”. Unfortunately, a lot of those end up with a negative connotation!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:42 pmAs a dual citizen I hate when people harp on Americans! Such generalizations are passed which I can attest to having grown up in Canada. I will defend America to the death though!
Kristina @ Damn Ten Pounds
January 9, 2014 at 1:17 pmYour field trip sounds infinitely better than some of the shit I’ve done. Actually, minus the frigid temps, Canada sounds awesome. I have Vancouver and Toronto on my bucket list. I don’t even want to know America is known for in other countries. I usually lie and say I’m Canadian when I travel 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:41 pmScrew Van, just come to Toronto k?
Madison @ Eating 4 Balance
January 9, 2014 at 1:02 pmSunbutter is one of my favorite “nut” butters ever! 🙂 That picture of it dripping over the side… Goodness. 🙂
I love both the fake maple syrup and the real stuff equally. It’s just that the real stuff sometimes is overpowering on pancakes whereas the fake stuff is milder and you can taste more the pancake, ya know?
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:36 pmI feel ya but I think growing up on the real stuff makes you get used to it or something!
Kim
January 9, 2014 at 1:00 pmI’ve never been to Canada but hope to visit at some point!!
I mix peanut butter and syrup – maybe a little similar? (Ok, I’m just lazy!)
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:32 pmThat sounds incredible!
Sabrina @ Nutritiously Sweet
January 9, 2014 at 12:53 pmYUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMY 🙂 I went to undergrad in VT and they are second obsessed with maple… and it turned me into an addict! This sounds/ looks delicious! 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:31 pmVermont MS is the only kind comparable to Canadian!
Alex
January 9, 2014 at 12:45 pmJust found your blog through Kathy at Vodka and Soda. We were talking about fellow Toronto bloggers and she told me to check you out. I have now stalked your blog 🙂
Is it weird that I’ve totally been craving maple syrup lately? Hmm.. maybe I’ll have to try this!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:30 pmI gotta start paying Kathy or something because that lady is like my personal PR agent! Off to stalk your blog!
Alex @ Kenzie Life
January 9, 2014 at 12:36 pmI have not been to Canada but I would love to go! I really love maple syrup so I bet I’d love this! Have you had those maple candies that kind of melt in your mouth? They’re like pure maple syrup mixed with sugar in the shape of a leaf. Is that Canadian or did we steal the leaf and maple and call it our own? 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:28 pmI think they originated in Canada 😉 They’re literally everywhere here! And damnnnn they are good!
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl
January 9, 2014 at 12:32 pmI know you Canadians are much more than your maple syrup, buy maple syrup isn’t all that bad to be associated with. It’s been a while since I’ve made sunflower seed butter. I jotted your recipe down to try VERY soon.
FitBritt@MyOwnBalance
January 9, 2014 at 12:21 pmOk this sunbutter looks amazing!!! Don’t hate me but I’ve never been to Canada! I don’t know why-ok, I’m slightly scared that it will be really cold. Actually my hubs worked in Canada a lot a few years ago, specifically in Toronto!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:26 pmI think you owe me a visit for my guest post…agreed??
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
January 9, 2014 at 12:05 pmSunbutter is delicious and I can imagine it’s even better with your Canadian maple syrup!
I’ve never been to Canada but I’d love to come see you!!! 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 12, 2014 at 10:25 pmMy door is wide open for you and B anytime you want to visit!!!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
January 9, 2014 at 12:03 pmSo I’m one of those Canadians that’s super snobby about maple syrup. Don’t even talk to me Aunt Jemima, and if you so much as mention sugar-free maple syrup within my hearing, I will ignore you for at least 5 minutes. Don’t mess.