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| Photographer Zam finds his inner Monnet (I love the pic) Zam |
If you are chomping waterblommetjiebredie, it’s likely that you’re
in the Boland (south western Cape) and the optimism of spring is all around.
Cape pond weed, the English name for these flowers, just doesn’t do them any
good at all. I think the direct translation from the Afrikaans word ‘water flowers’
suits their romance better, but nothing beats ‘waterblommtjies’, which
everybody calls them anyway, even English speakers. These fantastic plants make their cheerful appearance in
early spring and float about for a couple of months before they disappear with
the diminishing water levels during early summer, so you had better make use of
the brief window of opportunity and get your hands on a few these delicious
blooms.
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| Commercial pickers oblige with delightful poses UHG |
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| How very Japanese, I feel UHG |
In Cape Town, most of the supermarket chain stores will have
them on their shelves during spring, or you might be fortunate to come across
some lads selling them on the side of Boland roads. Best of all is to luck upon
a floral pond, strip down to your underpants and start picking; to avoid wet
seats and undie-chafe on the drive home, it’s best to get naked…
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| Waterblommetjies pronouncing spring time in the Boland UHG |
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Now for a jolly good rinse... UHG
Chef Stef conjuring up a little waterblommetjiebedie UHG |
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| Stef's finished product, YUM UHG |
When you think of waterblommetjies, the classic Cape dish,
waterblommetjiebredie (stew), is what usually springs to mind. Being a ‘classic’
suggests that this traditional recipe has been around for eons and has thus
stood the test of time. The dish is also classic in its simplicity: only four
ingredients (lamb, waterblommetjies, Cape sorrel/lemon, onions, potatoes – salt
& pepper) are traditionally used. But, as is the case with many traditional
recipes, there are many yummy variations. If you want to bring out the
traditionalist and forager in you, then substitute the lemon juice with the
abundant springtime weed Cape Sorrel (oxalis/suurings/sour sucks).
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| Simply steamed, they are delicious UHG |
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| Steamed, seasoned and tossed in lemon juice and olive oil; complete with the obligatory Cape sorrel UHG |
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| Preserved they are similar to artichokes UHG |
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| Leek, potato, waterblommetjie curry, Cape Malay style UHG |
Now that you have satisfied your inner traditionalist, you
might consider a few alternatives such as a simple side dish of steamed or
boiled waterblommetjies seasoned and tossed in olive oil, lemon juice and
scattered with the obligatory sour sucks. Waterblommetjies are so similar in texture
to artichokes that it would almost be rude not pickle and preserve them in the
same way… perfect as an antipasti. If you want to bridge the gap between
tradition and the eclectic then try a curried potato, leek and waterblommetjie
soup done Cape Malay style. I dare you to be fabulous and come up with your own
waterblommetjie amazingness…
A final note – before you cook your waterblommetjies, take
time to give them a jolly good wash… lest you want them to taste like the
chilly Boland pond from whence they came.
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| Making the most of a lucky find UHG |
