Why Every Traveller in New Zealand Should Cook With Kumara

© Matt Barber on Flickr

Kumara Mash

Need a quick and tasty side dish? Kumara mash is like mash potato but better!

Ingredients

• 3 Kumara with the skin left on
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• 4 tbsp Cream

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC (355ºF).
2. Cover the kumara in half the oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Prick the skin of the kumara and bake in the oven for 45 minutes (or until tender).
4. Peel and mash with the cream and remaining oil.

For a quicker kumara mash with fewer ingredients, because, you know, we’re backpackers don’t always have the luxuries in life like cream, simply boil an unpeeled kumara for 35-45 minutes until tender. Drain, peel and mash.

© Pixabay

Kumara and Chicken Bake

We’ve all experienced it as backpackers, where you have been eating pure crap for so long that when you come across some reasonably-priced vegetables, you go crazy and buy heaps! Of course, you can always select your preferred vegetables and meat for this recipe, but here’s a suggestion for a healthy fresh veggie meal!

Ingredients

• 3/4 Chicken thigh fillets, halved
• 2 Kumara, peeled and diced
• 1 Lemon, sliced
• 1 Red onion, cut into wedges
• 2 Red capsicum, cut into wedges
• 2 tbsp Rosemary, chopped
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• 250g Cherry tomatoes (or normal tomatoes, cut into wedges)

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 200ºC (390ºF).
2. Line base of the baking dish with baking paper so it’s easier to clean.
3. Chuck all the chicken, kumara, lemon, onion, capsicum and rosemary in the dish.
4. Drizzle the olive oil on top.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then toss all ingredients together so they are coated in oil.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, then scatter the tomatoes on top.
7. Bake for another 10 minutes, until the chicken and kumara are tender.

© Stacy Spensley on Flickr

Kumara Wedges

Another side dish which is super yummy! Kumara wedges is a good option if your hostel or flat is doing a “pot luck” dinner. It’s simple to make and a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 3 Kumara, peeled and cut into wedges
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tbsp Sugar
• Salt
• 1 tbsp Other spice (chipotle powder/paprika/Chinese five-spice/Cajun seasoning)

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 200ºC (390ºF).
2. Put kumara into a large bowl and add the oil.
3. Mix well to cover the kumara in oil then season with salt, sugar and spice.
4. Spread kumara onto an oven tray.
5. Bake for 15 minutes, then turn over all the wedges.
6. Bake for a further 10-15 minutes, until nicely brown and tender.

© Clotee Pridgen Allochuku on Flickr

Stuffed Cheese and Herbs Kumara

A classic New Zealand dish: stuffed kumara! These go well with a side salad or simply all alone. This also goes well with some mushrooms and broccoli added to the recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 Kumara
• 1/4 Onion, finely chopped
• 1 Clove of garlic
• 200g Cheese
• 100g Sour cream
• 1 tsp Butter
• 1/2 tbsp Parsley, chopped
• 1/2 tbsp Coriander, chopped

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 170ºC (340ºF).
2. Poke holes in the kumara and put them on a baking tray and bake for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, lightly saute the onion and garlic and set aside.
3. Take kumara out of the oven and leave until it is cool enough to handle.
4. Cut off the tops of kumara, scoop out the inside and place the insides in a bowl, while keeping the rest of the kumara skin intact.
5. Mash the kumara insides, then mix in the onion, garlic, half the cheese, sour cream, butter, parsley and coriander.
6. Put the mixed kumara back into the skins and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
7. Put the kumara under the grill until the cheese has melted, then take out of the oven.