hangi

We were invited to a hangi today and it was a really neat experience.

If you think the Texans are adventurous with pit cooked barbeque brisket, well, they have nothing on the Maori.

A New Zealand tradition, a hangi involves digging a very large pit, lighting a fire and heating stones and then using those hot stones and steam to cook a whole lotta food underground. Pork, lamb, chicken, cabbage, potatoes, the whole bit.

After quite a few hours underground, the hangi is dug up and out comes deliciously tender and flavorful meat and vegetables.

Miss Bee's eyes were the size of saucers as she watched the men dig up her lunch. She dug in happily to her plate a short while later, though.

Today made me realize just how much I love picnics and that we need to have more of them this summer.