WEIRD AND WONDERFUL AUSTRALIAN FOODS

The 26th January is Australia Day, a celebration of the arrival of the first fleet at Sydney cove … so the perfect excuse for us to point out some odd Ozzy foods. Sorry Australia.

Vegemite & the cheesymite scroll

It looks like Marmite; it sounds like Marmite; it tastes … only a bit like Marmite; but it ain’t Marmite! Vegemite is a thick, gooey yeast extract with a malty taste. Less intensely flavoured then Marmite, it’s hugely popular in Australia and finds its way into everything; from Vegemite on toast to Vegemite pasties. The oddest Vegemite creation has to be the cheesymite scroll: imagine a pain aux raisins, but with cheese and Vegemite in it instead. Yeah. We … we need to try this. We’re sure it would be horrible, but we must know!

Beetroot on burgers

This one isn’t entirely unique to Australia, it’s super popular in New “don’t-get-our-accents-confused-with-Australians” Zealand too, but as burger lovers we couldn’t ignore this one. This is exactly what it sounds like; a burger with a slice of pickled beetroot on it. We’re kind of OK with this one, it’s a burger topping that never caught on with the rest of the world but we think it works. A good burger topping adds contrast to the awesome meatiness of the burger – the sharp tang of the beetroot adds something you rarely find in other burger toppings. Good work Australia, you win this round. (Though sometimes they also add a fried egg too … way to go overboard, Australia. Round lost.)

Kangaroo and emu meat

Australia; the only country where you can eat the national emblem. Both meats are strongly flavoured and kangaroo meat in particular is incredibly low in fat and high in protein. We could make a joke about eating kangaroo meat making you hopping mad. But we respect you way too much folks. Yep, definitely. No easy jokes here, no matter how emusing. *cough*

Witchetty grubs

We couldn’t write this blogpost without mentioning some bush tucker, so prepare to be put off your breakfast/lunch/dinner/everything. The grubs are moth larva found in Central Australia, often in the roots of witchetty bushes (the bush is named after the grubs). Eaten raw, they are said to have an almond-y taste. Whilst lightly cooked in hot coals gives their innards a scrambled egg taste/texture. Think of that next time you’re eating scrambled egg on toast. You’re welcome!

Dagwood dogs AKA Pluto pup AKA Dippy dog

Not entirely unique, these dogs are Australian versions of the fabled corn dog; a hot dog sausage on a stick, deep fried in batter (though not cornmeal batter, like it’s US cousin). So if not that special, why do they get a mention here? We LOVE the names. Seriously, say them out loud. They’re the food that’s fun to say and fun to eat! They also sound like the low-rent rap artist names: Dippy dog featuring Eminem; Kanye West and the Dagwood dogs; 50 Cent vs. Pluto pup.


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(Source: bushtuckerrecipes)