Waterblommetjies are back in season, and one Cape festival is giving food lovers plenty of reasons to celebrate the much-loved indigenous ingredient, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The Waterblommetjie Festival takes place on Saturday, 5 September, with visitors able to taste the Cape delicacy in 13 different dishes, ranging from the traditional waterblommetjiebredie to burgers, paella, tapas and even a margarita.
The festival brings together Windmeul Kelder, Rhebokskloof and Domaine Brahms, with each venue putting its own spin on the seasonal ingredient.
For anyone wanting the classic Cape experience, Windmeul Kelder will serve a traditional waterblommetjiebredie, a dish that has long been associated with Cape cooking. Visitors will also be able to buy fresh waterblommetjies at the farmers market to take home and use in their own recipes.
Domaine Brahms is taking a more contemporary approach, with a menu that includes a beef burger topped with waterblommetjie chutney, a waterblommetjie and venison pie, as well as a waterblommetjie quiche. It is a good reminder of just how versatile the seasonal flower is beyond the traditional stew pot.
Rhebokskloof is going even further, with chef Olaff of El Picoteo restaurant putting together a selection of dishes that blend familiar South African flavours with international influences. The menu includes a boerewors and waterblommetjie paella, a three-bean salad with a waterblommetjie twist and a lamb waterblommetjiebredie.
The venue’s winemaker has also joined forces with the kitchen for a tapas and wine pairing, featuring combinations such as tandoori kingklip with waterblommetjie, mushroom and waterblommetjie arancini, and a boerewors and waterblommetjie phyllo tart.
There is also Cajun sirloin served with chips and waterblommetjies, followed by a dark chocolate tart with waterblommetjie and orange praline. For something completely different, Lume will be serving its signature waterblommetjie margarita, created specifically for the festival.
Waterblommetjies are more than just another seasonal ingredient. The edible flowers grow in the wetlands and dams of the Western Cape and have become closely linked to the region’s food heritage.
Their short season also makes them something of a culinary event in themselves, with restaurants and home cooks making the most of them while they are available.
The festival’s 13-dish approach puts that versatility on display, showing how the ingredient can move from a traditional Cape bredie to modern street-food-style dishes and fine-dining combinations. For visitors, the challenge may be deciding which one to try first.
The Waterblommetjie Festival takes place on Saturday, 5 September. Further information and bookings are available here.
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