Maple Bacon, Eh?

The salty-sweet combination of maple and bacon is a signifier of Canadian identify, an homage to the pillars our country was founded on—tastes championed by generations of  frost-bitten outbackers tapping maples and curing pork. On Canada Day, July 1st, forget about delicacy and diets and remember, you’re Canadian, eh. Then treat yourself to these maple-bacon picks.

ice cream sandwich: A thin, waffle-y wafer cosies maple bacon-studded vanilla ice cream to make the grown-up version of those chocolatey numbers you had as a kid. Available at Meat & Bread, 370 Cambie St., Vancouver, http://meatandbread.ca

eclair: Soirette’s maple-bacon eclair is a very literal interpretation of "French Canada." Light choux, maple mousse and the traditional sugar glaze topping is punted aside for a thick-cut slab of Canadian bacon. Who says you can’t improve on a classic? Available June 28th to 30th at Soirette, 1433 Pender St., Vancouver, 604-558-3308, http://shop.soirette.com

donut: Whisk(e)y completes the trifecta that is the historic Canadian food pyramid. Think about that as you sink your teeth into this warm, cakey donut, glazed with a booze-and-bacon-fat icing and topped with crumbs of the double-smoked good stuff. Available at Cartems Donuterie, 534 W. Pender St., Vancouver, 778-708-0996, http://cartems.com

That weird feeling in your heart-region post-maple bacon feasting? That’s just true, patriot love. —Adrienne Matei