Stocking Up Canuck Style – Canola Oil by Cinda Chavich
City Palate, March/April 2006
Canola has been grown in western Canada since the 1970s and the oil produced
from this tiny, mustard-like seed is one of the healthiest to consume.
Lowest of the common cooking oils in saturated fat, canola is a mono-unsaturated
fat, the highest in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. While most canola is now grown
from genetically modified (GMO) seed, Alberta’s Highwood Crossing produces a
unique non-GMO oil that is cold-pressed in small batches. This nutty oil – available
at gourmet food and health food stores – has been dubbed the olive oil of the
prairies, perfect to drizzle over salads, grilled fish and steamed vegetables.
The cold-pressed canola oil from Highwood Crossing has a deep amber colour and
a distinctive flavour.