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An Ode to New Zealand Food for Blog4NZ

March 23rd, 2011 | 17 Comments

One of the best things about New Zealand is that we have an abundance of good, fresh, local produce at our fingertips. We don’t tend to approve of GM/ GE  Frankenfoods and lots of us grow or buy organic when we can afford it. In fact, if we had our way, I’m quite sure that most of us would have our “1/4 acre dream” and be eating from our own land. Look at this spread, for instance. The bread is from a local bakery and the tomatoes and asparagus are from our veggie shop. The cheese is made within 10 kilometres of Auckland and so is the pesto. We snagged the fish at that awesome little fish place just after the bridge on the way to the Coromandel. You know the one. When you are queuing for your turn on the bridge after a long weekend, you could almost jump out to get your newspaper-wrapped delicacy before the light changes to green.

Our favourite kind of lazy dinner

Yes, we have the best asparagus ever.
New Zealand asparagus

And some choice local cheeses.
New Zealand cheese

But don’t forget to check out our pumpkins,
New Zealand pumpkins

persimmons
New Zealand persimmons

Otago cherries
Otago cherries and a beautiful hand-made bowl that my Mum sent for Christmas

and avocadoes.
New Zealand avocados

We even have our own vanilla
HeilalaVanilla

and our coffee is made with loving care…but choose a good cafe (not one of those chains)!
New Zealand coffee

Even if you only want to fill your pockets with scroggin and go for a tramp, we really hope you come down here to New Zealand this year. We love visitors.

Check out #Blog4NZ on Twitter or Facebook for more reasons to come to New Zealand. Or, if you are a blogger with a connection to New Zealand, please join us in showing the world what’s good about New Zealand.

Blog4NZ logo

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17 Responses to "An Ode to New Zealand Food for Blog4NZ"

  1. Marie says:
    15 April, 2011 at 08:56

    Thank you, Mel. Always nice to get your comments. I’ve been busy with other projects but I can’t wait to update this blog. I just want to talk about foooood!

  2. Mel says:
    15 April, 2011 at 01:11

    Wow! Beautiful post, Marie. :-) I hope you update your blog again soon, I always love reading! Have a great day x

  3. Marie says:
    7 April, 2011 at 09:05

    “All food has a story and you delete that story when you buy from the middleman.”
    I love what you’ve said here. It’s so true! And it’s great to meet someone new blogging from NZ, Kia ora!

    P.S. Some gremlin didn’t approve your comment properly on the day you sent it, which is why it’s only just now become visible. OK, it was me! Sorry about that:-)

  4. Genie says:
    26 March, 2011 at 13:50

    Oh wow, I only just read about this blog 4 NZ project and I guess it is too late now. I adore buying local food and our tiny garden gives us a little to eat every now and then. There is something sooooo satisfactory about buying cheese from a cheese maker, fish from a fish smoker/fisherman etc. It’s just not the same when you collect all your groceries from 1 giant Australian chain where the workers don’t give a toss about where a product came from. All food has a story and you delete that story when you buy from the middleman. Supporting local growers will diversify what is available and forging a relationship with “the cheese man” every fortnight means that they can suggest to you other cheeses from their selection that you might like. I love that my seafood guy can tell me that the scallops that I’m buying came from Whitianga this morning. Also, buying locally ensures that the grower is getting a good deal.

  5. Marie says:
    25 March, 2011 at 14:24

    Vicki- It’s all about the cheese!
    Kristen- With a name like “Mint Jellie” our sheep will be worried! Seriously though, I’m glad you are inspired. Let me know if you need any food recommendations:)

  6. kristen says:
    25 March, 2011 at 14:11

    We are heading to NZ next month and now I am actually salivating just thinking about all the fresh delicious food we will be enjoying! Thank you (c:

  7. Vicki says:
    24 March, 2011 at 16:49

    LOVE this “taste” of New Zealand (couldn’t resist), but the best thing about New Zealand is the warm and friendly people. That said, I could do with a bit of that cheese.

  8. Marie says:
    24 March, 2011 at 08:42

    Thanks Laura, and you can believe me when I say that cheese ‘was’ delicious! Thank you for the link:)

  9. Laura says:
    24 March, 2011 at 05:24

    Hi Marie:

    Glad your back on this channel!

    Great post about eating, foraging and buying locally and a great post about New Zealand!
    BTW, that cheese looks amazingly delicious!

    Laura

    P.S. Added a link to FF on Silk Road Gourmet

  10. Marie says:
    23 March, 2011 at 20:23

    Thanks for your comment, Paula. I hope you can get back over here again soon:)

  11. paula says:
    23 March, 2011 at 19:20

    love the words, love the food, love nz x

  12. Marie says:
    23 March, 2011 at 19:16

    I’m not surprised you’d be hungry after these last three days of Blog4NZ activity!

  13. Craig says:
    23 March, 2011 at 18:49

    Yum! I’m ready for dinner now.

  14. Marie says:
    23 March, 2011 at 15:36

    Thanks John. I will have to check out your blog after the writing frenzy of these three days:)

  15. John Reese says:
    23 March, 2011 at 14:50

    What fabulous photos, Marie! You definately can’t beat a good New Zealand coffee! Great to see you taking part in #Blog4NZ

  16. Marie says:
    23 March, 2011 at 14:42

    Thank you!

  17. Shiela says:
    23 March, 2011 at 14:38

    This article is so wonderful and the pictures so lovely and lush, you can almost taste them!

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