_Maori Hangi - A Grounding Experience
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The indigenous Maori of New Zealand have traditionally cooked their every day mens in underground ovens called a hangi. Archaeologists have found evidence of hangi's, or earth ovens dating back millenia. Nowadays the hangi if reserved for special occasions, most probably because of all the work that goes into it.
maori hangi
In essence, Maori hangi is an underground oven in which the Maori cook their food with heated stones. It's a long process compared to the simple turn on gas heated barbecue. A hangi is a labour of love. Yes, modern conveniences obviate the need to go to the lengths the hangi needs. A properly organized hangi can take days of preparation. So why go to the troube? Because of the love of food. Because some take their food seriously. And because it serves as a spiritual and cultural reconnection for the desecendants of the Maori.
The first step in laying a hangi (that's the term used) is to dig a pit in the ground. At the same time stones are heated till their white hot. They're then placed at the bottom of the pit. On top is placed uncooked food in a wire basket. Meat goes at the bottom of the basket. Chicken goes on top pork. Vegetables such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, and other root vegetables are placed on top of the chicken. The sequence of layering is important for the food to cook evenly. The food is then covered with wet hessian cloth or hessian bags. They serve two purposes. One is to add steam to the hangi and second is to protect the food when soil is shovelled on top, entombing the food, so to speak. After several hours, depending on the amount of food to be cooked, the hangi is lifted (another hangi term.)
A hangi feast can sometimes last for hours. (I hope they chew their food slowly.) The meat is off-the-bone tender and has a distinct earthy and smoky flavour. Juices from the meats and vegetables intermingle, resulting in a gastronomic sensation.
To learn more, here are some further brief facts on the Maori hangi The traditioal Maori hangi is now promoted as a highlight of an evening's entertainment for tourists. Hotels in Rotorua now package a hangi buffet with traditional Maori cultural performances and dances. Hotels operate their own specially built hangi pits. For many tourists this may be as close as they get to experiencing hangi food without being invited to a private hangi by the locals.
hangi
The indigenous Maori of New Zealand have traditionally cooked their every day mens in underground ovens called a hangi. Archaeologists have found evidence of hangi's, or earth ovens dating back millenia. Nowadays the hangi if reserved for special occasions, most probably because of all the work that goes into it.
maori hangi
In essence, Maori hangi is an underground oven in which the Maori cook their food with heated stones. It's a long process compared to the simple turn on gas heated barbecue. A hangi is a labour of love. Yes, modern conveniences obviate the need to go to the lengths the hangi needs. A properly organized hangi can take days of preparation. So why go to the troube? Because of the love of food. Because some take their food seriously. And because it serves as a spiritual and cultural reconnection for the desecendants of the Maori.
The first step in laying a hangi (that's the term used) is to dig a pit in the ground. At the same time stones are heated till their white hot. They're then placed at the bottom of the pit. On top is placed uncooked food in a wire basket. Meat goes at the bottom of the basket. Chicken goes on top pork. Vegetables such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, and other root vegetables are placed on top of the chicken. The sequence of layering is important for the food to cook evenly. The food is then covered with wet hessian cloth or hessian bags. They serve two purposes. One is to add steam to the hangi and second is to protect the food when soil is shovelled on top, entombing the food, so to speak. After several hours, depending on the amount of food to be cooked, the hangi is lifted (another hangi term.)
A hangi feast can sometimes last for hours. (I hope they chew their food slowly.) The meat is off-the-bone tender and has a distinct earthy and smoky flavour. Juices from the meats and vegetables intermingle, resulting in a gastronomic sensation.
To learn more, here are some further brief facts on the Maori hangi The traditioal Maori hangi is now promoted as a highlight of an evening's entertainment for tourists. Hotels in Rotorua now package a hangi buffet with traditional Maori cultural performances and dances. Hotels operate their own specially built hangi pits. For many tourists this may be as close as they get to experiencing hangi food without being invited to a private hangi by the locals.
hangi