This morning a coworker was telling me about her ride to work and how it seemed that all the people around her were talking about food. Two ladies on the train talking about squash and pumpkin and… well that is where she lost me only because then I started thinking about food, pumpkin in particular. In the US everything we call squash (butternut, acorn, spaghetti, you get the idea) they call pumpkin in New Zealand. This made me think of a particular day when we stopped at Lake Wanaka for lunch and I was cranky as all get out. Just really tired. So tired nothing sounded good to eat and I rejected 3 places before I finally told everyone that I couldn’t be the deciding factor and M was going to have to choose what I was going to eat. Sounds, weird I know. M can pretty much be counted on ordering things that I will like, especially when I can’t even order something I will like. So fully trusting of his decision he proceeded to order me a pumpkin, pesto, ricotta sandwich… what?! No way I am going to like this, no way. When it came out it looked really interesting. Open faced, toasted bread, pesto, acorn pumpkin (or squash) and a little salad. As the first bite was on its way to my mouth, I was still thinking this can’t be good. I was so wrong. It was not just good, it was great. One of the best things I have eaten. To start with, in general food is just better in New Zealand. No additives or preservatives, better ingredients, just better. But this combination was just amazing. Everyone at the table agreed. Even B who was even more sure than I was that there was no way that was going to taste good. I am not sure I will be able to replicate this dish at home, but I am going to have to try.
iamlizbeth.com 