Beaver Tails, Canada
A uniquely Canadian speciality, the Beaver Tail is a relative newcomer to the doughnut scene, with their debut at Ottawa’s Byward Market in 1978. Its inventors, Grant and Pam Hooker, use whole-wheat dough, stretch it out, fry it, and adorn it with everything from simple sugar and cinnamon to chocolate hazelnut and, of course, maple butter.
Though now available throughout Western Canada and the U.S., even the Philippines, Costa Rica, and Scotland, this treat is part of the quintessential Ottawa in winter experience—skating on the Rideau, Beaver Tail in hand. However, national pride aside for a moment, flattened fried dough is found the world over, and goes by many different names: Elephant Ears, Whale Tails, Tiger Ears, Pizza Frita, Frying Saucers, and Doughboys.
Photo courtesy Colleen Tully
