Located just outside the city of Tauranga in the country side of  Whakamaramara you will find Spring Valley Orchards. Lyn and Neville grow a wide range of seasonal speciality ground crops. Ruhbarb is always available at Lyn's stall. Seasonal tree crops include avocados, a variety of apples, but only small quantities at this stage as the trees mature. Passionfruit  and tamarillos are available in varying quantities according to mother natures season. Also available is their very own Avocado oil.  If you have something specific you are after, do ask Lyn.

PUHA SALAD PUHA  (sow thistle)

Cooking does not reduce the bitterness but it can be greatly reduced by rubbing the puha plants together (vigourously) under running water, repeat a couple of times.

Puha is usually placed on top of meat, roast beef, mutton bird, pork, 15-20 minutes before end  of cooking.

The liquid is drunk as well.




Puha and Seseme Seed Salad

1 large bunch of puha ( or spinach )

1/4 cup of seseme seeds.

1 - 2 tablespoons shoyu ( good quatlity soy sauce )


Bring to the boil a pot of water (2/3 full)

Meantime wash and drain puha. Cut into 2 - 3 cm lengths.

Drop greens in to boiling water and blanch briefly about a minute.

Drain immediatley. Leave few minutes to let excess water drain off, do not squeeze dry.

In a large bowl mix greens, ground seseme seeds and shoyu.

Check seasoning and adjust if necessary.

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