I heard this BIG pinecone fall out of the Bunya tree a couple days ago during a storm. It weights about 5kg, around 11 pounds!!
I found out from my buddy it’s edible “bush tucker”... WINNING!!
Bunya evergreens grow in Queensland & apparently, the tree only crops after its 100 years old. Once it reaches maturity it only produces bunyas once every 2 or 3 years.
So this is rare, gourmet bush tucker friends;)
They've got SUPER SPIKY branches that you DO not want to get near.
And they fall off around the base of the tree, so watch your bare feet, the little buggers get stuck in your skin!!
They’re not like normal nuts at all.
Bunya’s are high in minerals, water, complex carbs (40%), protein (9%) and only a small amount of fat (2%).
First you have to take the nut out of the pine cone leaf (watch out there's spikes here too!!)
Then you can roast them or boil them up!!
I chose to boil them for 35mins as the first cooking step.
Then take a really sharp knife & cut them open to take them out. They feel like a sticky potato & I had to use a small spoon to get them out.
They're tasty completely plain. Kinda like a mixture between sticky rice & soft potato. But I wanted to spice them up a bit, so the last thing I did was fry them on the sandwich press with butter.
I also added smoked paprika, Himalayan salt & nutritional yeast....yummmmm!!!
My hubby LOVED them too & he's a true blue Aussie;)
If you liked this post please let me know, I love doing things like this!
Here's to the Bunya's ;)