Happy Little Vegemites

“Prost!”

Six little first graders raising their orange juice bottles. Clinking glasses, smiling faces. Happy little Vegemites!

“Look Frau Koehl!”

Oh,  I AM looking. It’s my job – supervising these little kids. I AM watching you! Always!

“We are pretending this is beer and we are drinking – just like big boys!”

Oh boy! Just great! Here we are, lunch recess at school and my students are practicing cheers-ing! What should have been an innocent sausage snack is turning into a drink fest! And my Grade Ones right in the middle of it! Wondering, if this is part of the school curriculum, I remind them to stop toasting and to finish their Bratwurst. 

“Prost!”

I hear yet another cheer and happy laughter after. My happy little Vegemites! 

It’s German Day at the German School (obviously!). In September. Not quite clear about the idea behind this special day, yet, but it’s fun! And educational! 

We are comparing Australia and Germany. Our class decides to learn about the food from each country.

 “Liebe geht durch den Magen.” – “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

Well, it’s definitely the way to any kid’s heart. And brain. We learned a lot – I learned a lot. Maybe I should start offering more gummy bears during my math lessons.

We start the day with large maps of Australia and Germany. 

Fun Fact: Did you know that the latter fits into this huge continent 22 times? Yet, it has almost four times as many people living in it. Canada, on the other hand, has about the same size as Australia. There seem to be quite a few similarities between Australia and Canada actually. The size, the number of inhabitants, people living on the outer edge of both countries, not so much in the center of it, because of the extreme living conditions. I could go on…

Back to German Day!

We read the picture book Possum Magic by the Australian author Mem Fox. A possum discovers the magical powers of Australian foods. Sounds wonderful!

We locate the major Australian cities and the feast begins… 

“They ate Anzac Biscuits in Adelaide”

Anzac Biscuits – not cookies! Originally called Soldiers’ Biscuits, these cookies, err, biscuits have long been associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC!). Think Remembrance Day Poppy in Canada, only that you can eat these guys. And they actually don’t taste bad. Sweet and buttery, they get their distinct Australian flavour from the golden syrup. And they taste much better than a poppy.

“Morney and Minties in Melbourne”

Not sure what a bechamel sauce has to do with mint candies, but the kids like this sticky candy the most. Hard, white and chewy, this rectangular mint-flavoured lolli is the favourite in our class survey. I’m more worried about my fillings coming out – and sure enough! I have a dentist appointment booked for next week. Memorable Minties!

“Steak and Salad in Sydney”

Due to financial restraints, we do not offer this food. It does sound delicious though. I will make sure to try it soon!

“Pumpkin Scones in Brisbane”

If Minties were the favourite, pumpkin scones are not. A classic Queensland fare created by a famous woman named Lady Flo, this treat is a little dry and just cannot compete with the sugary sweet. Sorry Brisbane – nothing personal.

“It was there, in the far north of Australia, that they found a Vegemite Sandwich”

Maybe an Australian classic, but definitely an acquired taste. This thick, black spread made from brewers’ leftover yeast extract, does taste very salty and strong. Maybe you have to grow up with it? I don’t know. I think you either love it or hate it. It won’t grow on me, I’m afraid.

“Later, on the beach in Perth, they ate a piece of Pavlova”

While I love this meringue-based treat, I am not sure when or how it became an Australian delicacy. Imported from Germany, named after some Russian ballerina, there are many myths around this iconic dessert. At the end of the day it does taste delicious and I made sure there were no leftovers in class!

“In Hobart they saw a Lamington on a plate. Hush closed her eyes and nibbled”

And so did I. I like this Australian cake. Spongy, coated in chocolate and rolled in coconut. What’s not to like? The name maybe. For some reason I kept thinking lemmings while eating this treat. Sorry Lady Lamington! I still love what you’ve done with this.

There could have been many more pages to this culinary story. 

Tim Tams, the chocolate biscuits that you can turn into a Tim Tam Slam..  “Opposite corners of the Tim Tam are bitten off, one end submerged in the drink (any drink?), and the drink sucked through the biscuit. The crisp inside biscuit is softened and the outer chocolate coating begins to melt.” Wait until my grade ones about this one – Prost!!!

Or Avo Smash – smashed avocado on toast, poached eggs and bechamel sauce optional.

Bacon and Egg Roll to ring in any weekend.

Fish and Chips. With ketchup, which you call tomato sauce not ketchup. And mayonnaise, which isn’t actually mayonnaise, but aioli. 

And last, but not least, Macca’s. What you call McDonalds in Australia. I have yet to find one, but they do exist! Just not as wide spread. Which is a good thing, I guess. 

The day ends with some German treats – it’s German Day after all! Gummibärchen and Schokolade as samples of Germany’s fine cuisine is all I could find. The kids are happy and so am I. Happy little (and big!) Vegemites!