Culinary Detour

It would be difficult to speak about all the cuisine in Oceania as there are many unique foods ranging from Australia to different island groups but let’s speak about the major food cultures.  

 

Australia – Because of indigenous Australians, Australians developed what’s known as  a bush tucker diet. For example, kangaroo (most common and cheaper than beef) emu and crocodile. The native plant foods include Davidsons plum and quandong (peach).

As Australia used to be a British colony, British traditions are still seen in food today for example roast dinners, Australian meat pie and fish and chips!

 

Fiji – Fijians have a traditionally healthy diet, particularly using coconut. A traditional breakfast includes what is called Roti,a Fiji style bread that’s eaten with butter or jam and with a cup of tea or lemon leaves. Dinner usually includes stews, curry or soup – all with options of meat, fish and potatoes and vegetables. 

 

Hawaii – Hawaiian cuisine incorporates 5 styles of food that reflects the history of the island. Polynesians brought many edible plants, the main one called Taro which is used to make poi, a staple in their diet. Chinese immigrants cooked the first stir fry, replacing poi with rice and the Portuguese brought their love of pork, chilli peppers and ‘sweet bread’ called malasada (yeast dough coated with sugar and fried).