Are you hungry again?

 

Several weeks ago, I started showing you some of the most popular foods here in New Zealand.  I continue that series with today's post.  

Let's take another look at the foods you've find in the markets in Henderson.  

The tag on the leg informs you that the leg is a special one.  They no doubt mean to attract our attention to a sale price, but I think the tag also correctly describes the quality of the lamb.  I doubt that you will find better lamb anywhere else in the world.  

These lamb shanks are very popular.  Our café at Waitakere Gardens often roasts piles of them and we plus-aged diners assemble in droves.    

(I appreciate the fact that person who wrapped package went to the extra trouble of informing the buying public, with this informative label, that these shanks are in fact, meaty, as opposed I suppose to those which are are boney, although why the buying public would want boney lamb shanks I don't know.  Going the extra mile like that is just one of the reasons that Aussie Butcher is our favorite butchery.)  

The family was coming over for dinner recently, so Jeanne sent me to a bakery, located right next door as it happens, to the butchery mentioned above, to pick up some desert items. 

While there, I took a few pictures. 

I bought some of each of these two. Those are custard pies on the right, dusted with cinnamon. 

This sign caught my attention when I went into our Pak 'n Save last week. What the heck are extrusions, I wondered? 

"Hey Ma, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

"We're having Bluebird Extrusions, honey.  Now go and wash your hands." 

"OH BOY! Extrusions!  My favorite.  I wish we could have extrusions every day."  

(I've got to tell you, I worried just a bit about the palatability of these 'bird extrusions'...from the Latin, extrudere, meaning, to squeeze out)

Well, I soon discovered what Bluebird Extrusions are.   They are 'formed' snacks that come in various shapes and flavors. Well, that's okay then.  

And notice if you will, that the bluebird used here as a 'mascot' for this brand of snacks is not a bluebird of the genus Sialia, from North America. Rather, it is a 'little blue penguin,' of the genus Eudyptula, which can be found on the southern shores of New Zealand (and Australia) and grows to be no more about a foot in height. They are the smallest species of penguin and are sometimes also called 'fairy penguins.'   

(Look what you can learn from a trip to the supermarket!)  

Tasty is our favorite 'everyday' cheese.  Mainland makes the best in my opinion, aged 18 months.  

This is the most common kind of pumpkin here. It is often served baked or made into soup. 

Just in case you're interested, I've included a link below to a post I did years ago about pumpkin soup. (If you do go to this link, you'll find that the first picture, of pumpkins, won't come up) 

https://fostersoe.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-kiwi-classic-pumpkin-soup.html

Mango lassi is a drink the boys especially enjoy. Made from mango, milk, yogurt, a little sugar and cardamom. 

Custard is used to complement desserts of many kinds.  Very thick, flavored with vanilla.  

And speaking of desserts, this is number one.  The pavlova.  

It is a very sweet baked meringue, that is crunchy on the outside and softer inside. It is served covered with your choice of berries and fruit. The sell lots of different sizes, even little individual ones.  

Are you hungry after seeing some more examples of what makes New Zealand's diners smile? I don't blame you.             -djf