Cretons facts for kids
 |
|
| Alternative names | Gorton, corton, cretonnade |
|---|---|
| Type | Spread |
| Place of origin | Canada |
| Region or state | Quebec |
| Main ingredients | Pork, onions, spices |
Cretons are a tasty pork spread popular in Quebec, Canada. They are made from ground pork, onions, and different spices. People often enjoy cretons on toast as part of a traditional Quebec breakfast.
Cretons might remind you of a French dish called rillettes, which is also a meat spread. Sometimes, people from New England with French-Canadian roots call cretons "gorton" or "corton." It is important not to confuse cretons with "head cheese," which is a different kind of meat jelly.
How Cretons are Made
Making cretons involves cooking ground pork shoulder in a large pot. The pork is usually covered with milk or water. Then, onions and a mix of spices are added to give it flavor.
The exact spices can change from one recipe to another. However, most recipes include ground cloves. Other common spices are cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, and bay leaf. Some people also add minced garlic to their cretons.
Different Kinds of Cretons
Normally, cretons are made with pork. If the spread is made from other meats, like veal or poultry (chicken or turkey), it is more accurately called a cretonnade.
However, in everyday language, many people, even in French-speaking areas, just call any of these meat spreads cretons, no matter what kind of meat is used.]
