Kai Māori, Kai Ora - Kūmara

02 October 2011

As kōanga begins to warm the land it a time also to start getting back out on the moana to collect kaimoana. What better way to enjoy then to team it with another long favourite huawhenua – the mighty kūmara.

Intertwined in Māori agriculture, food choices, spirtual connections, ceremonies and history since its creation. The kūmara is still one of the most important cultivated food products for Aotearoa.

In one kūmara alone you get good doses of protein, carbohydrate and fibre. Also they are excellent sources of vitamin A, C, iron , calcium and potassium. The skin also contains many important antioxidants and generally the brighter the colour of the skin the more antioxidants.

Another interesting ability the kūmara has is to heal themselves from any scratches, cuts or brusies they make incur during harvesting. This works by converting starch to sugar during the storage process. Some of these important healing properties have also been shown to have anti-cancer and anti blood clotting functions too. It is thought that there are at least 25 different varities of kūmara with many of the traditional types such as hutihuti, parapara and poporo being very different from the three red, gold and orange commerical varities found in the supermarket.  But whatever the variety it is agreed that they taste great.

Kūtai are also another long time favourite that offer us many nutritional as well as taste benefits. Fresh, steamed, marinated, fritters, chowder - however you enjoy your kūtai they are a great low fat source of protein that is easily used by our bodies. Also the fats that they do provide is in the form of omega 3’s ( EPA, DHA, DPA) fatty acids which have been linked to many heart and health benefits.

What’s more kūtai provide is with other essential nutrients including iodine, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc and vitamin B12.

 These all play important roles in assisting brain function, bone health, transporting oxgyen in our blood, wound healing and boosting our immune function. Who would of thought such tasty morsels could be packed with  so much goodness.

He kupenga hua a Tangaroa, He hua makura a Rongo, He kura mā tātou – Kai Māori, Kai Ora !