Pickle production start-up

INTERESTING smells coming from the former Te Kūiti motor camp kitchen are a dead giveaway for the Maaru Kai Roopu community garden’s new endeavour – creating pickles to extend the use of local produce.

Garden organiser Michelle Wi said they were using The Puna while the building at the Maara was re-roofed.

“I always had it in mind to have these classes,” Michelle said.

“I’m just trying, giving people the idea of what we can do, and I’m hoping that if I just make it open, anybody can come down.

“So, I’m looking at this as education; what to do with produce. And it’s all about not wasting it.

“A lot of this stuff is about using up all your old veges. To me it’s not taught, it should have been.”

Pickling meant summer vegetables were still available in winter and could be used to extend stews or added to mashed potatoes for flavour, she said.  

“It’s just an art I believe has been forgotten. This is all going to the foodbank. All I’m doing is teaching a new skill.”

Pickle classes will happen every Thursday. Michelle said they are looking at chutneys, pickles and egg substitute baking.

The first workshop participants made Viv’s courgette chutney, apple and cucumber chutney. They also prepped some kamokamo chutney and another batch of courgette chutney.

They are hoping word will get round and people with pickle know-how will get involved and share knowledge.

Michelle is also keen to try baking bread and making cheese. “I’ve heard it’s easy,” she said.