What is 'Canadian' food?

Poutine? Butter tarts? Peameal bacon? Ketchup chips?

With our country's birthday fast approaching, CBC News is on a mission to find out what one food is the most Canadian.

This is easier said than done, however, with a culinary landscape as richly diverse as the people who make up our country.

Typical foods eaten in Canada include everything from Peking duck and pasta primavera to sushi, pierogi and Moroccan tagine.

As former Prime Minister Joe Clark once said, "Canada has a cuisine of cuisines. Not a stew pot, but a smorgasbord." Poutine is a French Canadian dish composed of fries, cheese curds and gravy. It is often associated with Canadian cuisine. (Lauri Patterson / iStockphoto)

This wide range of delicious dining options is one of Canada's most charming elements - you'd be hard pressed to find a person who doesn't enjoy the option of having pad thai, Soo Guy and crepes in the same meal.

This has also left some of us with a sense of uncertainty, however, when faced with the question "What is Canadian food?"

And so we're asking you for the answer.

Leave your suggestions in the comment section below, or nominate Canada's most iconic food on Twitter using the hashtag #CanadianFood.

Butter tarts are a highly regarded pastry desert thought to have originated in the Canadian Maritimes. (Modesigns / iStockphoto) On June 20th, we'll take the most nominated foods and put them to a vote.

Then, on June 26th, we'll host a live chat with several noted culinary experts, including chefs Mark McEwan, Brad Long and Aaron Joseph Bear Robe.

Finally, on June 27th, we'll reveal your choice for Canada's top food - just in time for Canada Day!