Ployes: A symbol of French Heritage By :Meghan and Kim

What are ployes? The ploye is a crepe- like staple here in the St. John Valley and nowhere else. People say the ploye is like a yellow pancake made with locally-grown buckwheat flour

How is it cooked? A ploye is cooked in a pan on one side only on a very hot skillet called a “poelonne”. Air holes form in the ploye as it cooks. When the top of the pancake is dry, it is ready to eat. If you flip the ploye over it doesn’t have the same “good eyes”.

How is it served? Ployes are served rolled or folded as a substitute for bread. They make a good addition to any meal. For breakfast ployes are often served with “cretons’’ (a spicy meat spread). For lunch they may be served with butter and after supper they may be served with molasses or maple syrup as a dessert.

What is buckwheat? Buckwheat is a plant that grows quickly in any type of soil.. newly cleared land established fields, wasteland or even on the edge of a forest. It is a strong plant that grows well without the use of pesticides.

Buckwheat is… A grain of buckwheat looks like a tiny beechnut seed with 4 sides. Botanically speaking it is not a grain but a fruit. It’s related to the rhubarb plant.