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Hi, my name is Neil. A hungi is a way of cooking in the ground.
Yes, actually, in the ground. Like a barbecue, food is cooked outdoors.
But unlike a barbecue, it’s cooked below the ground, not above it.
And it’s a far healthier way of cooking than a barbecue.
It comes from the Maoris, the indigenous people of New Zealand.
They perfected the technique over thousands of years.
So famous has the New Zealand Maori hungi become, that it's now simply known as a “Maori
feast”. So what is the process involved in this traditional
way of Polynesian cooking? First, stones are placed on a fire for them
to heat through. The aim is to get them thoroughly heated,
which will take about two hours. While they're heating up, the opportunity
is taken to dig a pit in the ground. And to prepare the food.
When the stones are fully heated, they’re placed in the pit.
Food in a wire basket is then placed on top of the stones.
Wet cloths are then placed on top of the food. And the whole thing is then covered with soil
to lock in the heat and steam. The stones will slowly cook the food through
from the bottom. So the earth becomes an oven.
It infuses the food with a flavor, aroma and earthiness that is unique.
The food will be ready in under three hours. So a Maori hungi is slower and takes more
work than an ordinary barbecue. So what's the upside?
Well, firstly, as I mentioned, the food is out of this world.
It has a taste and flavor that is unique on this planet.
The food is also extremely healthy. Notice that no frying or oil is used.
In fact, excess saturated fats in the meat drip away during the long cooking process.
Just like it does in a George Foreman grill. Also, there's no charring of the meat.
Did you know that meats cooked at high temperature creates carcinogens?
There’s a link between those who like their meat well done and cancer.
But relax, it’ll probably take a lot of charred meat to affect you.
But it may pay to cut down. And a hungi never chars the food.
As cooking is long and slow. Here’s another upside with the hungi.
Barbecues just aren’t suitable for vegetables. They tend to get burned underneath and come
out dry and greasy. A hungi, however, is perfect for vegetables.
Especially root vegetables. Which melt in your mouth.
In fact, vegetables are just as important as the meats in a Maroi hungi.
So hungi’s are especially healthful. Hungi's are also especially suitable for large
numbers of guests. As a hungi oven can hold lots of food.
Organizing and setting up the hungi can also involve the group as social activity.
You can involve the whole family in food preparation. Making the hungi oven is also fascinating
to watch. And once the food is in the ground, there’s
nothing else to do. You can just sit around, relax, and enjoy
the company of friends over drinks. So, there you have it, the New Zealand Maori
hungi in a nutshell. Have you ever thought of making your own hungi?
A hungi in your own backyard? You do need to know what you’re doing.
If you get something wrong, the food won't come out the way it should.
The best guide on building a hungi comes from Neville Pettersson.
Neville is a New Zealander of Maori descent. Although he grew up enjoying hungi food, when
it came time for him to build his own, he wanted to make sure he got it right.
And not disappoint his guests. As mistakes in building the hungi can ruin
the taste of the food. So Neville drew on his Maori roots to research
the subject. And he came up with a detailed illustrated
guide. If you want to know how to build a genuine
New Zealand hungi, from the source, this is guide you should look at.
The guide comes with follow up email support. Got a question on anything, just email Neville
for help. Soon you can be on the road to your very first
Maori hungi feast. So let’s go hungi - build your own hungi
oven. Enthrall your guests with the making of a
hungi. Impress your family and friends with a sumptuous
hungi feast. Enjoy the unique and unbeatable taste of traditional
Maori food. To start enjoying your own hungi feast, just
click the link below. Thanks for watching.
Wishing you a yummy time.