Pie floater
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A pie floater is a meal served at pie carts in Adelaide and elsewhere in South Australia. It was once more widely available in other parts of Australia but its popularity waned. It consists of the traditional Australian meat pie covered with tomato sauce (similar to ketchup), sitting, usually inverted, in a plate of thick green pea soup.
The addition of the pea soup provides extra flavour and dietary fibre, and extends what otherwise may be considered a snack to a full meal. Anthony Bourdain, Joe Cocker, Billy Connolly and Nigel Mansell are high profile fans of the pie floater.[1]
In 2003, the pie floater was recognised as a South Australian Heritage Icon by the National Trust of Australia.[2]
A well known version of the pie floater in Australia comes from Harry's Cafe de Wheels pie cart situated in Woolloomooloo, New South Wales. Harry's Cafe de Wheels is listed on the National Trust Register as an historic icon.[3]
Across the rest of Australia, a similar taste experience can be found in a pea pie, a meat pie with a layer of mushy peas under the crust, often sold at local bakeries. A variation on the pie floater is to substitute the pea soup with mushy peas.
The Pie Floater also makes an appearance in the Discworld novel The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett, where it is sold by Fair Go Dibbler, one of a number of similar characters who sell "regional delicacies" across the Disc.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Kathy, Marks. "Adelaide's 'pie floater' fights losing battle in fast food war", The Independent, 2003-12-06. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
- ^ Pie Floater entry at the National Trust of South Australia
- ^ Harry’s Café de Wheels
[edit] External links
- Excerpts from Billy Connolly's Tour of Australia, including a description of a pie floater.
- Pie Floater Article with a picture.
