CHARCUTER-IFFIC!!!

Who doesn’t love a good charcuterie board?

Meaty, salty, indulgent, delicious. They are a perfect choice for any occasion, especially those special ones that come over the holiday season or during the long winter.

Here in Quebec we sometimes refer to these great products as “Corchonailles.” But it’s time your charcuterie repertoire expands with SeaDNA’s great line of “Phoconailles.”

From the Magdalen Islands, one of the most special places in the province, we are proud to bring to the Quebec mainland an amazing selection of specialty products featuring a great Canadian protein: seal.

Responsibly harvested and prepared with a lifetime of knowledge, it is Boucherie Cote a Cote we turn to for the man who knows how to make seal butchery magic.

Nicolas Beaupré (Co-propriétaire de la Boucherie Côte-à-côte) et Réjean Vigneau (Président de SeaDNA et Co-propriétaire de la Boucherie Côte-à-côte aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine). Crédit photo Dominique Lebel, 2017.

Rejean Vigneau has been working with seal for decades and his effort has helped shape best practices for an entire industry when it comes to processing and utilization. Vigneau and his team’s ability to integrate, understand and create flavours that compliment and improve the already great taste of seal means you are in for something special and wonderful on your table.

Whether it be a traditional pepperete, a terrine, effiloche, salami or smoked seal, SeaDNA seal charcuterie delivers a wild game experience that is incredibly tasty and features a wildly nutritious base.

Seal meat itself is very lean, but thankfully pork is a great compliment to provide both flavour and needed fat to these products. It is for this reason as well that these great charcuterie products can only be sold in Quebec.

Federally a seal is considered a fish. In Quebec however, it is considered a mammal. There are very few, if any, processing facilities in Canada that are approved for both classifications. This means that only here in Quebec we can mix pork with seal and make these amazing things for you. I guess that’s one more reason to consider yourself very lucky to come from this great province!!!

The Canadian seal harvest is quota-based like any wild hunt and is monitored and regulated by the Canadian government. The seal herd in the North Atlantic is completely sustainable and growing annually.


We encourage everyone from Quebec to discover a truly unique and delicious experience.

Discover Phoconailles today at www.seadna.ca

For more information: sales@seadna.ca

 

 

 

 

Go Wild With Seal

We realize that at first wild game can seem a little intimidating. But each different game has its own flavour characteristics and can be a very rewarding meal. If you have never tried seal, it is similar to beef but carries its own unique and inviting taste.

 

The hunt to eat healthy has led to more and more Canadians adding wild game to their diet. There are many factors that consumers weight before making this decision. Here are a couple reasons why SeaDNA Seal Meat is a great, healthy choice:

Benefits Of Wild Game Vs. Farm Meats

1. LEANER:

Most farm-raised animals live a much more sedentary lifestyle and often have a higher fat diet designed to increase bulk. Wild game eat a natural diet and are generally much more active. Seal is incredibly lean (2% fat) as the fat layer is separate from the meat of the mammal.

2. NATURALLY RAISED:

SeaDNA Seal Meat is wild caught in the icy waters off the coast of Atlantic Canada. It is free of added hormones or antibiotics.

3. CONTAINS OMEGA-3:

Wild game meat has Omega-3 running through it and seal is no different. Omega-3’s have been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease and can aid in the battle against arthritis among other benefits.

4. MORE NUTRITIOUS:

Game is known for its great nutritional value and seal certainly fits the bill. It is packed with protein, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin B-12. 

 

5. LOW IN FAT AND CALORIES:

When compared to farmed animals such as cows and chickens, SeaDNA seal meat has an average of 2% fat while their domesticated competitors typically have a fat content of 25-30%. Not just any fat either. We’re talking a lot less saturated fat (the bad fat).  Compared to other wild game meat, it is the lowest in calories (100 Kcal/100g).

 

SEAL MEAT (per portion of 100 g)
CALORIES:  1oo
PROTEIN:  23g
FAT: 1g

 

HARP SEAL LOIN

 

 

HARP SEAL FLIPPER

 

Seal Meat Cuts

If you’re wondering about the variety of cuts available, seal steaks, seal shoulders (flipper), sausages, merguez, burger are the most common options, and seal sausages is a surprisingly lean choice.

Click here for more information on our seal cuts and seal charcuteries (Phoconailles). 

 

Cooking Seal Meat

When it comes to cooking wild game, you may be interested to know that the guidelines are pretty similar to how you would cook any red meat. There is only one hard-set rule with cooking wild meats: don’t overcook. As previously mentioned, wild game is very lean, which means that if you cook it too long, the meat is sure to dry out big time.

On our website, you can find different seal meat recipes:

 

Where to Buy Seal Meat?

Our seal meat is available in different butcher shops, fish markets and specialty stores and restaurants across the country.  Click here to find out about our most recent update of the locations offering seal meat.   Please note that you might have to call in advance to order your seal meat or to make sure that the restaurant is currently offering seal meat on its menu.

 

The Canadian Seal Harvest

The Canadian seal harvest is no different from any other wild game harvest. The Canadian government sets an annual quota, monitors and regulates the hunt, and ensures that any part of the animal used for human consumption is tested and safe.

You can find more info on the straight seal facts, seal populations, myths and realities on SeaDNA’s website. You can also find a lot of additional information on Seals & Sealing Network website.

 

 

SEAL GNOCCHI POUTINE

Ingredients:

  • Seal merguez
  • Grain cheese (to taste)
  • Kale
  • Marinated pearl onions
  • Veal stock

For sweet potato gnocchi:

  • 500 g of sweet potato puree
  • 250g of mashed potatoes
  • 300g of flour
  • 1 egg
  • Salt

Preparation:

For gnocchi:

  1. Mix all the ingredients
  2. Spread the dough 2 cm thick
  3. Slice strips lengthwise and cut into thumb size pieces
  4. Store in freezer

For the poutine with the merguez:

  1. Preheat the fryer to 350F
  2. Cut the merguez and roast in the skillet
  3. Add the kale with the merguez
  4. Put the gnocchi in the fryer until they go up
  5. Drain and place on a plate
  6. Place merguez, kale, onions and cheese on the gnocchi
  7. Drizzle with veal stock

 

 

Recipe by: Chef Benoit Lenglet