Ploye facts for kids
Ployes
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| Type | Pancake |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Canada |
| Region or state | New Brunswick |
| Main ingredients | Buckwheat flour, wheat flour, baking powder, water |
A ploye is a special kind of pancake from Acadia. It's made with buckwheat flour, wheat flour, baking powder, and water. You'll find it very popular in the Madawaska area of New Brunswick, Canada, and also in Maine, United States.
Contents
What is a Ploye?
Ployes are thin, flat cakes, a bit like a crêpe. They are a traditional food in Acadian communities. They are known for being easy to make and very filling.
Where Did Ployes Come From?
Ployes were first made in Nova Scotia. Later, they became popular in the St. John Valley and Maine. Long ago, ployes were a simple, cheap food. They helped people feel full. People would eat them with local toppings like maple syrup or cretons (a meat spread). They were also often eaten with baked beans. Over time, ployes became a beloved traditional dish.
How Ployes Are Made
The recipe for ployes can be a bit different from one family to another. These recipes are often passed down through many generations. The batter for ployes is usually very thin and runny. This helps make sure the ploye doesn't get too thick when it cooks.
Cooking Ployes
Unlike most pancakes, a ploye is usually cooked on only one side. Some people might flip it over for just a few seconds at the very end. In Madawaska, Maine, ployes often have a yellow color. This comes from the special type of buckwheat used there. Sometimes, a little vinegar is added to the batter. This helps stop the cakes from turning red while cooking.
How to Enjoy Ployes
Once a ploye is cooked, people usually spread butter on it. Then, they add toppings like maple syrup, brown sugar, or molasses. Another popular topping is cretons. After adding toppings, the ploye is often rolled up or folded before being eaten.
Ployes are also served with a local chicken stew called fricot. Fricot is like a chicken soup with homemade flour dumplings.
Ployes in the Community
Ployes are a big part of local events and fairs. You can often find them at festivals like the Ployes Festival. They are also served at the Foire Brayonne, a large Acadian festival.
Ployes for Everyone
Ployes are popular with vegans. This is because they are made without milk or eggs. In 2016, a food writer named Avery Yale Kamila mentioned this. She wrote that ployes are a "griddle cake" from French Acadian areas. She noted that even though they were traditionally eaten with meat dishes, vegans in Maine have really started to enjoy them.
