2011/07/14

The Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata) or Spaltfußgans

In the Top End of northern Australia these waterbirds are regarded as delicacy and, as strange as it may sound, you can see it here swimming next to a side dish it may will be served with. I’m talking about the water lilies you can see here which are a culinary highlight of the area as we’ve been assured a couple of times by locals at our latest trip to Kakadu National Park. This area of the Northern Territory is the only one in Australia where the authorities due to the relative abundance of the species grant a controlled hunting season for Magpie Geese and similar regulations apply for the water lilies in Kakadu, which are only permitted to be harvested by locals. The flavour and texture of the flowers of the varieties of these water plants, such as the blue, yellow and white snowflake, was particularly praised and we learned that the best way to consume these floating veggies is fresh out of the next billabong without any cooking or seasoning. I’m sure many of the other 280 bird, 60 mammal, 117 reptile and 53 freshwater fish species of Kakadu are also cherished as delicacy, especially the Raja Shelduck (see BOTW 12.) and the Barramundi, a fish with delicate white meat that is also very popular in the rest of the country. Whilst outside the Top End the Barra often ends up as fish ‘n chips, a local guide we met strongly favoured a recipe from nearby Arnhem Land - one of the largest Aboriginal Reserves in Australia with strong continuing traditions - that implies nothing more than very hot stones and a sprinkle of crushed leaves of a eucalypt tree. Unfortunately we couldn’t get a taste of all this local delicacies ourselves and instead of Magpie Goose or Barramundi our own diet was restricted to the usual camping food like baked beans and bacon.

Next week: The Long-tailed Finch or Blackhearts country.