Rappie pie facts for kids
A serving of Rappie pie, on a plate with tomato and dressing
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| Alternative names | Rapure pie, râpure |
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| Place of origin | Canada |
| Region or state | Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island |
| Main ingredients | Potatoes, broth (chicken, pork or seafood), meat, onions |
Rappie pie is a special traditional dish. It comes from the Acadian people in Canada. You can find it mostly in southwest Nova Scotia and parts of Prince Edward Island. People sometimes call it "rapure pie" or "râpure." Its name comes from the French words "patates râpées," which means "grated potatoes."
This dish is like a casserole. To make it, people grate potatoes. Then, they squeeze the grated potatoes through a special cloth. This removes some of the water from the potatoes. The liquid that was removed is replaced with hot broth. This broth can be made from chicken, pork, or seafood.
Cooks also add meat and onions to the mixture. Then, they layer more grated potatoes on top. Common meats used in rappie pie include beef, chicken, or bar clams.
History of Rappie Pie
Many people believe rappie pie started during a difficult time for the Acadians. This was during the Acadian Expulsion. Many Acadians were forced to leave their homes. Some lived in places like Massachusetts. There, they met people from other countries. This was a chance for them to share recipes and cooking ideas.
It's possible that German or Swiss immigrants taught the Acadians a special way to use grated potatoes. This cooking tip became very important. When the Acadians returned to Nova Scotia, they found their best farmland was gone. The land left was rocky and hard to farm. But it was great for growing potatoes!
So, the Acadians used lots of potatoes. They mixed them with any wild game they could find. This helped them make filling meals. This is how rappie pie became an important part of Acadian food.
