Vegemite

Born in 1923, this curious spread is a staple in all Australian pantries.
It is an acquired taste yes, but then so is Avocado.

By now you probably have heard of it and know it is a black, salty, tar like substance that not many people outside of Australia can quite get used to eating.
There are also some variations, Marmite (New Zealand, Britain, South Africa) and Promite(1950's Australia, now owned by Mars USA) I love those too, but not as much as Vegemite. Aussie kids all grow up wearing a black Vegemite smile across their little pink cheeks, and a whole afternoon at the beach can be done on a thrifty budget with nothing more than delicious crusty bread, butter and Vegemite. Fishing? if you run out of bait; yep, a blob of the stuff rolled on some dirt hangs on the hook just nicely.

Kraft owns Vegemite, although is it still made in Australia. It is made from a brewer's yeast extract and is chock full of Vitamin B, is low in fat and carbs and has lots of other vitamins including folate which is not added to food here in the US. It is however, quite high in sodium. Rumors of Vegemite having been banned in the United States because of the folate are untrue.

How To Eat Vegemite:

It's versatile muck, our Vegemite. Have it spread sparingly on a slice of dark toast with loads of real butter and a slice of tomato. Or, with bubbling melted cheese on top. For a time, Vegemite singles were available, a fusion of cheese and Vegemite, however it was discontinued due to poor sales. Vegemite can be added to a piping hot casserole instead of beef stock, and kids we would ask Mum to pack us some cold buttered toast and Vegemite in our lunch boxes for school. We didn't care if we got cupcakes or lollies (candy) so long as the big V was in there we got enough zap to last us all day long. When I had a touch of morning sickness it was all I ate, on Doctors orders actually.

Unique Gift:

I have lived in the US for years now, and my wonderful husband orders me a 6 pack of veggie for every occasion; Birthday, Christmas, and even Valentine's Day.
I love this man!
Wait until he gets to Australia and has to trade in his breaded catfish for our battered Flake(shark) and Chips(french fries).
Sometimes he even presents it to me packed in an Esky (cooler) with a huge leg of lamb and some tinnies of VB (the best cans of beer Aussie has to offer). I am very proud to say I have converted many on the topic of eating sheep too, but sadly I've not had much success with the Vegemite, yet. Mind you, I have tried in vain to explain to my step daughter that one does not spread Vegemite like peanut butter, 1 inch thick on everything and without butter, yikes.

Reference:

You may recall the song by popular Australian band Men At Work "Down Under" it was a huge hit during the America's Cup yacht race in 1982.

A lyric from the song is; "I said do ya speak-a my language? he just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich"

I'm a happy little Vegemite!

....and, they have a really fun website you can take your kids to right here.