Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Australia. Dana and I celebrated with a Thanksgiving dinner of marron.
Marron is a crustacean that reminds me of a miniature lobster. Marron (Cherax tenuimanus) is native to the southwest of Western Australia and thrives in clean fresh water rivers and purpose-built ponds. They can range in color from jet black to bright blue, some pink to red, all genetic variations. Their traditional color is brown (the french meaning of the word “marron”) or black.
Their taste when boiled, steamed, pickled, stir-fried, baked or barbecued is sweet, subtle, delicate and with a fine texture…more like a crayfish than a lobster.
The Andermel Marron Restaurant on Kangaroo Island is 14 km from a paved road. You have to know how good marron tastes to brave the gravel and the dust. Upon arrival after several exciting sharp turns on ball bearing like gravel, the restaurant looked much like a warehouse. And in fact it is in an industrial warehouse building set on an old farm in the heartland of Kangaroo Island. We were dubious about this much touted meal.
But we settled in and each ordered a different marron dish for our holiday celebration on this bright, sunny 75 degree day.
Dana’s was a steamed marron with a light chili marinade dribbled over the marron and stuffed with rice and a crisp cucumber salad. The marron flavor though subtle came through with the chili a beautiful contrast to the sweet meat of this crustacean.
I ordered marron with a creamy peppercorn and caper sauce on a bed of sweet potatoes and spinach. My dish was less successful as the heavier cream sauce overpowered the delicate flavor of the marron.
Though small, marron claw meat is a treat. Like lobster crackers and a special tool is provided to dig out every morsel of meat you can find.
We were covered with marron juice, including our shirt fronts, by the end of the meal. It wasn’t traditional turkey but it was delightful on the tongue.
HOPE YOUR THANKSGIVING IS FILLED WITH GOOD FOOD AND THE WARMTH OF FAMILY.
Love, Jill and Dana
MedFlies 