My daughter’s Girl Scout troop is doing a presentation on New Zealand for their Thinking Day program in a few weeks. Usually, the troop does some sort of food (can be savory or sweet) that is traditional in the country, to share with all the other troops. When we did Mexico, we served Mexican cinnamon cookies for example. Another troop did the Netherlands and had small bits of Dutch licorice.
We’re at a loss for something to serve that is traditional in NZ however. Any suggestions? It can be either something the girls have to make and bring, or something that might be found commercially here in the US (and not too hideously expensive per portion, as we have to bring a couple hundred portions).
Suggestions?
(note: I just followed a link from the treacle thread to a mention of Anzac biscuits… I suppose we could make some of those).
Aside: Is kiwifruit even remotely native to NZ? The troop leader was sort of planning on serving sliced kiwis, but I’m 99% sure they’re just named that for marketing purposes. I could be wrong of course.
I think Kiwis, as endangered species, are not available to be served sliced, or otherwise. Kiwifruit used to be called Chinese gooseberries, and they were renamed for marketing purposes.
Possums are a destructive introduced species in New Zealand. Here’s a recipe for Possum Stew. In lieu of a New Zealand possum, I’m sure a North American opossum will do.
Actually, possums are not regularly eaten in New Zealand, but they are made into Possyum dog food.
I am not a Kiwi, and I have no real knowledge of Kiwi cuisine, but I have had an awesome hamburger from a trailer in downtown Auckland.
Melt down some strawberry marshmellows, shape them into little fish shapes and cover them in chocolate.
The kiwifruit (actually started as a trademark for the Chinese gooseberry by NZ growers) can, as was said, be put on a pavlova which was invented in Perth (there’s a bit of argument - New Zealand has recipe books from earlier that list a dessert with a meringue that’s hard on the outside and soft on the inside, but the traditional pav - kiwifruit, strawberries and passionfruit pulp on a whipped, vanilla-cream layer on top of such a shell - was invented and named in Perth).
If you can, order in some Lemon & Paeroa (or “L&P”) soft drink. Adults can mix it with Southern Comfort.
My brother drove to Auckland from Wellington and back just to get a burger from a burger trailer just off Queen Street.
You could always drop a kunekune in a hangi with some kumera, puha and kai moana (pipis, toheroa, paua, kahawai) and serve with rewena paraoa, kina and Kaanga wai on the side.
That would be some mighty fine kai.
kunekune: small pig (not native to NZ, arrived with the maori)
hangi: earth oven
kumera: sweet potato
puha: sow thistle
kai moana: food from the sea
pipi: small bivalve mollusc
toheroa: large bivalve mollusc
paua: abalone
kahawai: Australian salmon - large river spawning fish
rewena paraoa: potato bread
kina: roe of sea urchin
kaanga wai: fermented corn
kai: food
The ANZAC biscuits or the Pavlova would be a good plan, but the rewena paraoa may be a fun exercise for Girl Scouts - the potato is fermented to start the dough, and it tastes pretty good.
Great movie. My wife visited NZ a few months back, and picked up a bunch of Kiwi movies (Goodbye Pork Pie, Scarfies, Siones Wedding, 2nd Hand Wedding, Footrot Flats: A Dogs Tale). Heaps of fun. So thanks
