Travelsmartplanet

In the Maori tradition, Hangi, was the preparation of food traditionally wrapped in flax leaves and placed on hot stones at the bottom of a deep pit in the ground. It got it’s name as this earth oven was called a hangi. The food is covered with wet cloth and a mound of earth traps the heat from the stones around the food. The meal is left in the ground for 3-4 hours.

Traditionally hangi, as the Maori meal is often called these days, is made with fish, chicken and root vegetables such as kumara (sweet potato). Nowadays, pork, mutton or lamb, potato, pumpkin, cabbage and stuffing may be included. Traditionally it is cooked in a pit in the ground and the result of a 3-4 hour process is tender, off-the-bone meat and delicious vegetables, all infused with a smoky, earthy fragrance. Nowadays, new-fangled ovens produce the meals more easily.

While walking through the massive English Garden in Munich we were wowed when we came across people surfing at the southern edge of the park, next to the Haus der Kunst. Sure it  is a tiny part of the artificial river which had a wild current in it, but there were people of all ages and all degrees of competence with their boards and gear ready to give it a try. And a huge crowd watching –  be careful, you may get wet!

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