The international day of the pickle is on the horizon once again, offering Kiwis another chance to get in a pickle in the most dill-lightful of ways.
Although International Pickle Day is officially recognised on November 14, more than 25 Kiwi eateries are stretching their pickle celebrations across an entire week, with some very special additions featuring on menus from November 14-21.
Making a star appearance this year is the toasted sandwich that swept the 2020 Great NZ Toastie Takeover judges off their feet – the ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ from Dunedin’s Hungry Hobos.
Aucklanders will finally get a chance to sample the award-winning toastie created by Romeo Dowling-Mitchell when it makes a cameo appearance at Burger Burger, Commercial Bay.
With its homemade meatloaf (made to Grandma’s recipe), creamy mashed potato, gravy, aged cheddar and McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles slathered between herb-buttered ciabatta, it’s sure to be a very popular addition to the festivities. But toastie fans will need to be quick on their feet, with the prized toastie on the menu for just two hours a day (12-2pm or until sold out) from Sunday 15 to Tuesday 17 November.
Burger Burger’s six eateries (Takapuna, Ponsonby, Newmarket, Commercial Bay, Mount Maunganui and Christchurch) will have several items on the menu including Beer Battered McClure’s Pickles served with Chipotle Mayo, Cheese & Pickle Skins and Cheese, Pickle & Beef skins. Die-hard pickle fans can rehydrate with a refreshing Pickle Soda courtesy of a new Six Barrel Soda collaboration. Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!
Pickle fans have plenty of other innovative menu items to sample over the week, with Lowbrow’s Cornflake fried McClure’s Pickles with tangy Jalapeño ranch, a Bloody Mary & Pickle station at Saxon + Parole and a single, double or triple stacked vegan & pickle smash burger from Wise Boys Burgers in Grey Lynn. Mt Eden’s Cheese on Toast is getting in on the action with a prawn and toasted garlic, pickles and three cheese blend sandwich and at Brothers Beer (all four sites), a Movember Pickle x Beer Tasting Board.
Beer-battered McClure’s Pickles served with marinated buffalo cheese, Pickle Pizza and Jameson Pickle Backs will be available from Dr Rudi’s, while Crispy breaded pickle chips are set to delight punters at Churly’s in Mt Eden. Winner Winner Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington is serving up Frickles – Beer battered McClure’s Sweet & Spicy pickles with house made vegan mayo.
Nick Brown of Cook & Nelson, the distributor of McClure’s Pickles, says Pickle Week keeps growing in popularity in New Zealand and he’s excited about what’s on offer this year, especially the chance to bring the ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ toastie to the City of Sails.
“We know there are so many pickle fans in Auckland who are desperate to try the Bat out of Hell toasted sandwich and we’re delighted we could make that happen,” he says.
He also has some words of encouragement for anybody who might screw their noses up at the thought of a Pickle Soda.
“I can tell you it’s actually very good. It’s great for gut health and rehydration after exercise, and – most importantly – it tastes good, too.”
The International Pickle Day dishes will be available at participating eateries from November 14-21.Romeo Dowling-Mitchell will be at Burger Burger, Commercial Bay from 12-2pm Sunday 15 November to Tuesday 17 November selling his award-winning sandwich for $15 (limited to 50 toasties per day).
The limited edition Six Barrel Pickle Soda will be on the menu at all Burger Burger sites, Six Barrel Soda on Karangahape Road and available to purchase in a 500ml bottle from Cook & Nelson & Six Barrel Soda for $19.50.
For more information about the Pickle Day festivities and giveaways go to www.pickleweek.co.nz
