The oldest foods on earth : a history of Australian native foods, with recipes

Introduction -- Before the boats -- Home-grown marvels -- A disastrous change of diet -- They brought their own -- From bandicoot curry to Vegemite -- Green shoots -- The producers -- Wild animals and game birds -- Cultural conundrums -- The chefs: pioneers and converts -- Walking together, eating together.;'This is a book about Australian food, not the foods that European Australians cooked from ingredients they brought with them, but the flora and fauna that nourished the Aboriginal peoples for over 50,000 years. It is because European Australians have hardly touched these foods for over 200 years that I am writing it.' We celebrate cultural and culinary diversity, yet shun foods that grew here before white settlers arrived. We love 'superfoods' from exotic locations, yet reject those that grow here. We say we revere sustainable local produce, yet ignore Australian native plants and animals that are better for the land than those European ones. In this, the most important of his books, John Newton boils down these paradoxes by arguing that if you are what you eat, we need to eat different foods: foods that will help to reconcile us with the land and its first inhabitants. But the tide is turning. European Australians are beginning to accept and relish the flavours of Australia, everything from kangaroo to quandongs, from fresh muntries to the latest addition, magpie goose. With recipes from chefs such as Peter Gilmore, Maggie Beer and Rene Redzepi's sous chef Beau Clugston, The Oldest Foods on Earth will convince you that this is one food revolution that really matters. 'this Is A Book About Australian Food, Not The Foods That European Australians Cooked From Ingredients They Brought With Them, But The Flora And Fauna That Nourished The Aboriginal Peoples For Over 50,000 Years. It Is Because European Australians Have Hardly Touched These Foods For Over 200 Years That I Am Writing It.' We Celebrate Cultural And Culinary Diversity, Yet Shun Foods That Grew Here Before White Settlers Arrived. We Love 'superfoods' From Exotic Locations, Yet Reject Those That Grow Here. We Say We Revere Sustainable Local Produce, Yet Ignore Australian Native Plants And Animals That Are Better For The Land Than Those European Ones. In This, The Most Important Of His Books, John Newton Boils Down These Paradoxes By Arguing That If You Are What You Eat, We Need To Eat Different Foods: Foods That Will Help To Reconcile Us With The Land And Its First Inhabitants. But The Tide Is Turning. European Australians Are Beginning To Accept And Relish The Flavours Of Australia, Everything From Kangaroo To Quandongs, From Fresh Muntries To The Latest Addition, Magpie Goose. With Recipes From Chefs Such As Peter Gilmore, Maggie Beer And Rene Redzepi's Sous Chef Beau Clugston, The Oldest Foods On Earth Will Convince You That This Is One Food Revolution That Really Matters. Introduction -- Before The Boats -- Home-grown Marvels -- A Disastrous Change Of Diet -- They Brought Their Own -- From Bandicoot Curry To Vegemite -- Green Shoots -- The Producers -- Wild Animals And Game Birds -- Cultural Conundrums -- The Chefs: Pioneers And Converts -- Walking Together, Eating Together. John Newton. Includes Index. ‘This is a book about Australian food, the unique flora and fauna that nourished the Aboriginal peoples of this land for over 50 000 years. It is because European Australians have hardly ever touched these foods for over 200 years that I am writing this book.’We celebrate cultural and culinary diversity, yet shun the foods that grew here before white settlers arrived. We love superfoods from remote, exotic locations, yet reject those that grow in our own land. We say we revere sustainable local produce, yet ignore Australian native plants and animals that are better for the land than those from Europe.In this, the most important of his books, John Newton boils down these paradoxes by arguing that if we are what you eat, we need to eat different foods, foods that will attune us to the this land and play a part in reconciling us with its first inhabitants. 'This is a book about Australian food, the unique flora and fauna that nourished the Aboriginal peoples of this land for over 50 000 years. It is because European Australians have hardly ever touched these foods for over 200 years that I am writing this book.' We celebrate cultural and culinary diversity, yet shun the foods that grew here before white settlers arrived. We love superfoods from remote, exotic locations, yet reject those that grow in our own land. In this, the most important of his books, John Newton boils down these paradoxes by arguing that if we are what you eat, we need to eat different foods, foods that will attune us to the this land. --Provided by publisher