N.Z. NATIONAL DISHES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29388, 15 December 1960, Page 23

N.Z. NATIONAL DISHES

Inquiry From Overseas

The question of whether New Zealand has any truly national dishes other than toheroa soup is a difficult one. The nutrition section of the Health Department recently received an overseas inquiry for recipes of the three dishes used by New Zealand’s “native-born citizens.”

Discussions had provoked only the old argument on whether the pavlova cake could be considered a New Zealand dish, says the newsletter of the nutrition section. Reference was made to a cookery book containing recipes gathered by an international airline to see if there was an international opinion on New Zealand cuisine.

The Dominion was represented by four dishes. Nutritionists would have no objection to being served two of the dishes aloft, though it was news that they were national dishes.

These were stuffed steak, New Zealand style, and Koromiko tart —an apricot and almond flan. However, the other two might not help New Zealand tourist trade. Baked lettuce and drop scones were the dishes. “Colourful national dishes indeed,” says the newsletter. “So much for international opinion. We have had to return to the views of the native-born citizens. To date roast hogget, fish and chips and pavlova cake have the majority vote,” the newsletter says.