5 superfoods from the Aussie outback
Simple and delicious ways to benefit your health
As Willow Aliento discovers, the world’s oldest living culture knows a thing or two about antioxidants
There’s a simple and delicious way to benefit your health, your environment and our Aboriginal communities – swap the acai or goji berries for some of our own bush tucker superfoods.
Kakadu plum: an all-round star performer. From the arid north-west, it is packed full of antioxidants, vitamins C and E, lutein, folate, magnesium, zinc and calcium. It’s used for pickles, sauces and chutneys (visit www.outbackspirit.com.au).
Quandong: contains antioxidants, vitamin E, folate, magnesium, zinc, calcium and iron. It’s a fruit used for pies, jams, preserves, chutneys and sauces. Available as dried fruit by mail order. See Juleigh Robin’s recent cookbook Wild Foods for recipes.
Lemon myrtle (pictured): loaded with antioxidants, vitamin E, lutein, folate, magnesium, zinc and calcium. It’s a leaf, sold as whole leaves, powdered leaves or in spice mixes, used for anything where a lemon flavour is wanted.
Native pepper leaf and berry: has antioxidants, vitamin E, lutein, folate, magnesium, zinc and calcium. It’s available in various forms from specialty food retailers, in Outback Spirit products at Coles and via the internet.
Wattle seeds: packed full of magnesium, zinc, calcium, plus quality carbs. For baking, hot beverages (coffee substitute), and as an addition to grain dishes. Order online or try specialist food stores.
Get more natural health advice and check out health recipes. Don't forget to share your thoughts on Facebook!
Photo credit: Willow Aliento
