Whole Bush Tomato 70g
Tasting Notes: Bush Tomato has a definite pungent tomato flavour and aroma. Whole they have a fresher more pungent flavour and aroma and are have the consistency of hard dates, with a high oil content. Much stronger and less acid than sun dried tomato with other sweeter characteristics reminiscent of caramel and tamarillo. A little salt can be added to counter any bitterness caused by its strength. Flavour matures on standing or prolonged cooking.
Natural History: Bush Tomato Solanum centrale grows in the very arid desert regions of Australia seen in red on the map (Right). It is a small silvery looking
shrub covered in tiny hairs and it prefers to grow on the red sandhills where the berries mature to the same colour as the sand. There are several species of Bush Tomato however some are poisioneous and to the untrained eye, appear identical to the edible varieties so it is best to leave the picking up to the people who have been eating them for thousands of years.
The Bush Tomato is closely related to the typical garden tomato, both being members of the Solanum family. It is a fast growing shrub that fruits prolifically the year after fire or good rains.
Cultural History: Bush Tomato is hand harvested by Aboriginal tribes in the Northern Territory. Ours are collected by the Alyawarra Tribe who's traditional homelands are east of Alice Springs in the northern tip of the Simpson Desert. You can see where this is, the yellow dot on the map above. It is usually the women who collect the Bush Tomato and they leave them on the bush to dry in the fierce desert sun until they are just right to be picked. The tiny dried tomatoes are then collected and further dried before being sent down to us at Kurrajong.
Traditionally the Bush Tomato is very important to the Aboriginal people of central Australia. It was a staple at certain times of the year and could also be ground into a paste and rolled into large balls which were then stored for use in times when food was scarce. They also can last for over 12 months on the bush, the dry desert air and fine conditions preserving them as a readily available and nutritious snack! Today the traditional name Akatjurra is used for export to Europe to avoid import taxes on tomatoes!
Left: Bush Tomato growing at Uluru or Ayres Rock (seen in the background!) in central Australia. This picture shows the flowers (purple with yellow centre) and ripe fruit. The fruit is allowed to dry on the bush before being picked by local Indigenous people and sent to us at Kurrajong. This picture was taken by Proprietor Lee Etheringtons best mate Peter Christie.
Ingredients: Whole, Desert Sun Dried Bush Tomato Solanum centrale (100%)
Using Your Akatjurra: Whole Bush Tomatoes can be eaten by themselves as a pungent flavour quencher similar to an olive. They are great if allowed to soak for a few weeks in olive oil where they reconstitute and also infuse the oil with their aroma. Try with a cheese platter roughly chopped or grind in a mortar and pestle to make your own fresh Akatjurra.
Particularly suited to savory applications such as relish', chutneys, sauces, stuffing or crusting. Use at about 4% addition ratio to flavour your usual tomato recipes such as pasta sauces, pizza base' etc to add the distinctive flavour of Akatjurra. Can also be used to make a delicious dip, use sour cream base and a packet or two of good dried tomato soup, some fresh chopped basil. Add a tbsp or two of Akatjurra, allow to sit overnight to mature and you will have a dip that everyone will rave about!
Made By: Kurrajong Native Foods, Wild Harvested by our Aboriginal friends in Alice Springs
Storage: Store in a cool dry dark place. Can be frozen for prolonged storage. Occasionally (1 in 200 jars) you may get a single moth larvae grow in the jar. This is due to the chemical free, organic nature of the growing conditions of the Bush Tomato. If this happens simply remove the grub, it is totally harmless and any web. The remaining Akatjurra will be unaffected or you can call us and we will replace your product.
Other Akatjurra creations: Bush Tomato & Mountain Pepper Seasoning, Akatjurra in spice card, 100g,1kg sizes. Whole Bush Tomatoes in spice card, 80g & 1kg sizes, Super Tasty Bush Tomato Relish
