Kiwi Cuisine

A working, exploring girl's gotta eat, so in my eating thus far, I thought I'd share with you some interesting reflections.

1.  On the whole, food isn't great here.  Come to NZ for the breathtaking scenery, not the food!

2.  The kiwi!   Very popular here (duh).  Named after New Zealand's national symbol, a brown flightless bird (I have not yet spotted the bird, but when I do, there *will* be photos!)     One kiwifruit  has 150% of your daily need for Vitamin C (take THAT, oranges!).   I liked them as a kid, but always thought they were a PAIN to peel.   The skin is indeed edible and a great source of fiber.    But one of my nurses showed me a fun way to eat them, no peeling required... just a spoon!   

 Simply cut the top off, and scoop out the fruit!   No mess!   No peeling!  Brilliant. (now why didn't I think of that years ago?)

3.  PRETZELS.    They're just about extinct here.    These folks LOVE their potato chips.  The junk food aisle is 99% chips.   A WHOLE AISLE!   I was lucky to find just one lone kind of pretzels, and my salt-craving-self bought a bag.     I turned it over, and my jaw dropped.

You've GOT to be joking-  I travel to the other side of the world, and the only brand of pretzels the grocery store has was made in Pennsylvania?   Wow.  Just wow.

4.    Just HOW much Energy?    Everything is metric here--- kilometers on the highway,  produce priced per kilogram, temperatures in celsius.    It's a bit of a hassle to convert everything in my head.   Here's one thing I don't mind I don't mind leaving in metric.....

I forget (and don't care to be reminded!) of the kilojoule to calorie conversion equation!  Ok?  Ok.

5.  LOLLY CAKE.   I found a baked good I'm absolutely in love with.  It's become my Sunday morning treat with coffee on all of my weekend adventures.  It's as common as finding a blueberry muffin in the states.  

 It's crushed up biscuits (cookies), butter, condensed milk,  lollies (aka marshmallows, but special delcious NZ-type marshmallows!) rolled into a log and coated with coconut.  Super sweet and DELICIOUS!    I made my first one tonight for our potluck at work tomorrow--- I'll let you know the outcome!

So while the food may not be stellar-  have no fear--- I'm not starving.    Did you *ever* know me to go hungry?  :)