Food From the Heart - Winter 2008

Mara Shannon and her family at Mimili in the APY Lands, north west South Australia, are bursting with pride about their successful planting of Quandong (Mangata) trees.

Along with the other Kungkas ('women' in Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara language), Mara helped plant the trees 2 1/2 years ago. Mara is pictured at right, centre, in front of the developing fruit on the Quandong-Mangata trees in her community.

Featured Native Food: Quandong

The Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) tree is a treasured fruit tree of Indigenous Australians and the fruit itself is a high source of Vitamin C. These trees have become rare in the outback arid lands, being part of the bushland and sensitive to environmental changes, they were the first plants to die when over grazing and drought took hold.

Now the Aboriginal communities are re-planting their bushfood species and tending then with care, keeping culture and traditional knowledge alive while teaching their children about the food of old.

Enjoy this tasty native fruit in Quandong Jam, Australian Wild Fruits, Quandong Dessert Sauce or Quandong Chilli Sauce. Or why not take advantage of our special offer, below, and make your own homemade Quandong cake!

Recipe: Gayle's Quandong Cake

1 cup cream
2 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups SR flour
Pinch of salt
15gm dried Quandong halves
Quandong Dessert Sauce

1: Soak dried Quandong halves in a cup of very hot water until the fruit re-hydrates.

2: Whip the cream in a basin until peaks form, add the beaten eggs, mixing well. Sift flour, salt and sugar and stir thoroughly into cream mix. Pour into greased and floured cake tin. Arrange the soaked Quandong halves on the surface of the cake mixture.

3: Bake in a moderate oven for 30 minutes. Test if the cake is cooked by piercing with a skewer, there will be uncooked batter on the skewer if it's not ready, so cook for longer if required.

4: Carefully remove the cake from the oven and pour Quandong Dessert Sauce on the top of the cake, place back into the moderate oven for 10 more minutes or until the sauce topping is bubbling. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.

5: Serve the cake warm with cream or ice cream - yum!

Special Offer: Mail Order Quandong Pack

To celebrate the success of the community planting of Quandongs, Outback Pride are excited to offer the following mail-order special to our Australian readers:

1 sachet of dried Quandong halves - 15gm
1 sachet of Quandong Dessert Sauce - 150ml

Only $19.95 including postage and handling (Australia only)

To take advantage of this special offer, simply email info@outbackpride.com.au with your postal address. You will be emailed an invoice with direct deposit information, and your order will be sent upon receipt of payment.

Featured Stockist: Oxfam Australia

With their commitment to fair trade, Oxfam were thrilled to bring Outback Pride products on board earlier this year. Not only do they stock Outback Pride sauces, dressings, herbs and condiments in their 22 retail locations across Australia, but they also sell a selection of these items in their online store.

Mike & Gayle have been thrilled to support Oxfam in return and have conducted tastings at a number of Oxfam shop openings around Australia.

Events & Tastings

17th July - Oxfam shop opening, Geelong, Victoria

2nd & 3rd August - Oxfam shop opening, Sydney, New South Wales

August - Oxfam shop opening, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Until next time,
Mike & Gayle Quarmby, and the team at Outback Pride.