Vanuatu Food, VANUATU
Airing Date: Dec 13th, 2004
Vanuatu is just a two hour flight from Sydney. Port Vila, the main town on the island of Efate, is a great area to explore the local culinary delights.
The best place to start is at the markets, where there are many weird and wonderful foods and fruits to try. You will notice taro, yams and manioc root, which are similar to sweet potato and are the traditional foods of Vanuatu. Coconut is also abundant.
It's not uncommon for a food to have many uses, like the humble banana. Ripe bananas ones are eaten, while the green ones with the big stalks are used for daily cooking. Even the banana leaves are used for baskets, hats, and as a natural wrap for cooking or keeping fish.
The markets are open 24 hours a day, six days a week. The stall holders do not go home until they have sold absolutely everything, which often means staying the night. Saturday is the last day of work and everyone heads home for the afternoon, because Sunday is the day of rest.
To really get a feel of the culture and the food, you can travel deeper into the island to the Ekasup Village. Just a short drive from Port Vila, the village is nestled in the heart of the Erakor Woods.
On arrival you'll be greeted by the chief and his warriors with spears, bows and arrows. They conduct a two hour tour that includes a cooking lesson demonstrating the long-standing food traditions of Vanuatu.
You'll learn the techniques for preserving food and how to cook in an earth oven. After helping to prepare the food, you can sit and enjoy the local cuisine - but not before offering the first piece to the chief!
Because Vanuatu's strong French influences, you may also sample fine French food here - but it comes with a twist. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, try a bit of flying fox cooked in a traditional French style. This dish can be found in some of the restaurants in town and is sure to provide a unique culinary ecperience.
The facts
An Ekasup Village Tour starts from $43 adults and $22 children. Includes pick up from the hotel.
Talpacific Holidays and Air Vanuatu will fly to Port Vila from $1736 ex Brisbane, $1849 ex Sydney, $1938 ex Melbourne, $2175 ex Adelaide and $2399 ex Perth.
Prices based on twin share. Includes taxes. Conditions apply. Subject to exchange. Includes flights, seven nights at Le Lagon Vanuatu Resort, meals, drinks, massage and three tours.
Talpacific Holidays
Tel: 1300 665 737
Suggested reading material: Lonely Planet
Prices correct at 13/12/04
