2023: Year of the Rabbit.
In honour of the Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) our #EatNZKaitaki have shared memories, videos & recipes about all things rabbits, encouraging us to consider their role on & off our plates.
新年快乐 (xīnnián kuàilè) Happy New Year!
2023 is The Year of the Rabbit, in celebration of the Lunar New Year and given our focus on biodiversity this year at Eat New Zealand, it seems a unique opportunity to talk about the rabbit and the role it plays in the food system of Aotearoa.
In honour of this festival celebrated across Asia, with deep cultural and culinary history, we’ve asked our Eat New Zealand Kaitaki to pull together memories, photos, videos and recipes that speak to their relationship or experience with rabbit.
If you haven’t tried wild rabbit before perhaps this will offer the encouragement to do so. Perhaps it will make you think about the role our wild pests play and their connection to our food culture.
Hop on over to each of the rabbit stories…
RECIPE: Crispy Rabbit Legs with Nuoc Ma Peanuts - by Chef Sam Gasson
Eat the Whole Rabbit - by Conor Mertens
WATCH: What role do rabbits play in conservation? - by Sam the Trap Man
Could this be the Year of the Rabbit - by Angela Clifford, CE Eat New Zealand
RECIPE: Rabbit & Dandelion Wellington - by Chef/Forager Adam Harrison
CHINESE NEW YEAR FEASTS
We also asked some of our Kaitaki to share how they celebrate Chinese New Year with food.
Chef Vicki Young (@vickieats) shared a fascinating article about how certain foods represent different things at this time of year. From spring rolls and dumplings representing wealth, to fish representing an increase in prosperity, and longevity noodles for happiness. This year, she prepared crayfish, pāua and chilli wontons alongside pāua XO noodles.
"Growing up we would make hundreds of dumplings with my popo (婆婆) to ring in the new year, pockets of deliciousness and comfort that symbolise wealth but also the family coming together. No matter what food you have, I think it’s all about celebrating our beautiful produce and cooking together as a family. ❤️" - Vicki Young.
Wishing you all great happiness and prosperity at this time of the Lunar New Year.
万事如意 (wànshì rúyì) Best wishes.