Mamaku

Sphaeropteris medullaris

vegetable

The white pith of the black tree fern's trunk, cooked in the earth oven (hāngi), tasting of baked apple.

Origin

New Zealand

Where to find it

In the rainforests and ravines of New Zealand, often along roads.

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The pith is sliced and cooked for several hours until tender; it is eaten cooked.

Molecules

In small amounts, not counted Insoluble fibers

Did you know?

It is one of the tallest tree ferns in the world: up to twenty meters.