A Guide to Unique New Zealand Foods

New Zealand is a small island country in the Pacific Ocean. It is composed of a northern and southern mainland as well as many smaller islands. It is 900 miles off the coast of Australia and is known as one of the last lands to be settled by humans. The country is extremely isolated from all other areas of the world so it has a lot that is unique to the island, including the food. Here is a guide to unique New Zealand foods and what the island has to offer for all different taste pallets.

Maori hangi: This dish is cooked underground. A deep hole is dug which is lined with red-hot stones and covered with various vegetation. The food which includes, chicken, pork, lamb, and potatoes is then carefully placed in the hole. Sweet potatoes and vegetables are then placed on top and sprinkled with water before being sealed with more vegetables. The hole is filled with dirt and left to steam for several hours before it is considered ready to serve.

Whitebait: Also known as New Zealand's favorite fish, Whitebait is a seafood delicacy that is one of the most sought after in the country. It is made up of slim, narrow fish with forked tails that live in freshwater rivers and lakes. It is the most expensive fish in New Zealand because it is a seasonal fish that is found between August and November. The most popular way to east Whitebait is in an omelet.

Paua: Paua is a traditional delicacy that is very similar to an oyster. The meat is often found at a celebration such as a wedding. This type of shellfish is world renowned and most of what New Zealand finds is shipped off to Asia where it has been regarded as one of the supreme delicacies in the world. The meat is extremely tasty and is one of the true delicacies the locals have to offer.

Kumara: This type of sweet potato is used as an ingredient in many dishes such as Maori hangi, but can also be eaten separately. These potato wedges are made with flour, paprika, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. The potato wedges are then placed in a bag and and tossed to coat. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until they are brown or crisp and wait to allow them to cool down until they are ready to serve.

Tamarillo and pavlova: This national desert is extremely well-known in New Zealand. Tamarillo is a fruit that is very tart and goes well with pavlova. Pavlova is a meringue-based desert that with a crisp crust and soft, light inside. Tamarillo is placed on top of the pavlova and whip cream is sometimes added for taste. It is the best desert in New Zealand.

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