Goat balls in one hand wildflower tea in the other

November 12 2004

Goat balls in one hand, wildflower tea in the other

There’s nothing like wildflower tea to wash the goat’s testicles down your gullet, wildfood gourmets say.

The floral aroma of the one masks the musky scent of the other. But the delicate palate of the tea and the rich mouthful of the balls remain distinct.

Ah, heaven and hell! The Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is on again for the 16th time during the weekend of March 12 with 20 new foods to add to its wild and wacky line-up.

Don’t miss out this time. As for the 2004 festival, numbers are limited to 19,000 to prevent overcrowding the guest houses and camp sites of the tiny 3300-person town of Hokitika on the fabulously scenic West Coast of the South Island.

“Once again the Wildfoods Festival will be an extravaganza of gourmet bush tucker based on the West Coast’s natural food sources, from land to sea, presented in an innovative manner,” says organiser Mike Keenan.

“The emphasis is on novel, tasty and healthy wildfood from the usual protein-filled huhu bugs to the new steamed beetles.

“The gelatine in the new pig snouts dish is good for the ladies’ fingernails while colostrum butterballs will make the lads feel like babes in arms again.

“Don’t ask me what’s in the cocka bully crunch but rest assured it will give the jaws a workout.”

Ninety stalls offering an amazing variety of food and alcohol will be spread across Cass Square in Hokitika on March 12. To further whet the appetite here are a few more of the new dishes that will be on the menu: Deer biltong Pickled lamb’s testicles Elderflower champagne Thar pies Pig pizzle sausage West Coast frogs legs

But what be food and drink without music?

A wild tribe of musical geniuses will prickle the neck hairs of discerning gourmets and set them a-grooving and a-moving to shake all that bizarre food and drink down into their rumbling tummies.

You name a type of music and the Wildfood Festival is likely to have it: Jazz from Just Jazz and the New Zealand Army Band Reggae from Joseph I King Rock from The Rollicks Rolling Stones Tribute and Little Richards Irish, folk and country rhythm and blues from Cutty Wren, Bantam of the Opera, Hetherington-Hunter Maori cultural from Awhina Ite Kaupapa Te Wharekura O Rakaumanga Popular from Dateless and Desperate, XLR8, and Big Wheelie and Hubcaps Old-time from Kokatahi Band.

Roving entertainment will wriggle and jiggle among the crowd including the stilts and fire show of First Light Entertainment, the mime and juggling of Mr Fungus and Mr and Mrs Sideways, and something unexpected from Sir Greg Theatrics.

The usual rules apply to make the event enjoyable for everyone, Mr Keenan says.

“No glass, no bottles, no stubbies, no worries is our motto,” he says.

“From Friday till Sunday, visitors can take advantage of special events, concerts, bands, beach, pubs, markets, shopping, restaurants, cafes and bars in a security and safety-conscious environment.

“And don’t go home till you’ve enjoyed a lazy Sunday afternoon at the Westland Racing Club Festival Races – wild clothing is the fashion in the field.”

Bookings, which open at the end of November, are essential, either through the website www.wildfoods.co.nz or phone the Hokitika Information Centre 03 755 6166. Tickets will also be on sale at Postie Plus stores early in the New Year.

ENDS

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