Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Australia Day - Pumpkin Scones



Fancy a scone, dear?

There are a number of recipes that people think are quintissentially "Australian"... quite a lot of which we inherited from the British when they colonised this country in 1788. Scones are one of them.

But nobody made scones like Queensland senator and wife of the most corrupt politician Australia has ever seen - Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen. Famous for her homely sayings, pumpkin scone recipes and basically being a puppet for her husband, poor Flo once said she hoped people remembered her for being a senator that baked scones, not just the whole scone thing.

Sorry Flo.

Her husband, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen was a highly-autocratic, shady, corrupt, paranoid politician that had Queensland Police in his back pocket, accepted bribes from all and sundry, actively discriminated against Aboriginals (and even tried to prevent them from being allowed to vote), had a hand in just about every development in the state, hated the media and worked actively to stop them reporting on or investigating his dealings, sued for defamation at will using taxpayer's money, blackmailed people, supported apartheid, created laws banning people from protesting his decisions, and when asked about his dealings, famously kept repeating "don't you worry about that".

Flo made scones.

Joh was our longest-serving state Premier, being in power from 1968 to 1987. His corruption was finally brought to light after the ABC aired an episode on Four Corners about some mighty shady dealings with brothels and bribes, and finally an inquiry was ordered into his alleged misconduct.

He was then tried for perjury over the evidence he presented to the Fitzgerald Inquiry, but the jury was deadlocked, thanks to the foreman being a Bjelke-Petersen sympathiser. Joh was announced "too old" for a retrial.

He then sued for $353 million compensation. He lost.

From Queensland's sordid history comes the iconic food that went right along with it - poor old Flo's scones. Which are actually quite delicious. So when you're baking this little piece of history, you now have some fabulous talking points to mull over while you put the kettle on and get out your best tea towel on Australia Day.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup cold mashed pumpkin 
2 cups self raising flour

Method:

1. Cream the butter, sugar and salt.
2. Add egg, then pumpkin and mix in flour lightly until dough comes together.

3. Turn onto a floured board and pat dough to about 1/2 inch thick.

4. Cut out rounds and put on a tray, quite close together.

5. Bake in a hot oven 223-250C for 15-20 minutes.

Image credit

19 comments:

  1. I think Flo did more for Australians hands down....I love pumpkin scones! Your tea set is a bit fabulous also- enjoy your Australian day Veggie Mama

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  2. Oh yes, I much prefer a scone to a brothel, but I'm a bit old fashioned ;)

    Enjoy yours too, dear!

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  3. I have not had pumpkin scones since childhood - and I loved them . My dad used to make them for Sunday nite supper:) pleased to have a recipe to try my own - thanks.

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  4. Thank you for the recipe - perfect for Australia Day. You've inspired me to whip up a batch to take to a bbq today and I'm thinking I might make some little Flo flags on toothpicks for decoration.

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  5. I love scones of all kinds. Delish. Thanks for the recipe!

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  6. Haha great post Veggie Mama! I chuckled all the way through it. Politicians-meh! :P Pumpkin scones however-yum!

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  7. haha poor old Flo! So agree with you about politicians, scones are way more three-dimensional! And delicious...

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  8. Oh my goodness, that recipe looks incredibly easy! Now I know what to do with that sad little can of neglected Pumpkin Puree in the cupboard. thanks!

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  9. I grew up in Peanut/Sir Joh country so cannot possibly comment for fear of offending all sorts of people. However I can openly say that Lady Flo can cook. Mum gave me her cookbooks many years ago (mine are even signed by the lady herself), and I can honestly say it's good, honest country cooking. No fuss, and the recipes practically always turn out. Even the kids will eat the pumpkin scones I make using her recipe. Her books are my go-to when I need something quick and easy to make, and yeah, way to use up leftover mashed pumpkin!

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  10. I grew up in Peanut/Sir Joh country so cannot possibly comment for fear of offending all sorts of people. However I can openly say that Lady Flo can cook. Mum gave me her cookbooks many years ago (mine are even signed by the lady herself), and I can honestly say it's good, honest country cooking. No fuss, and the recipes practically always turn out. Even the kids will eat the pumpkin scones I make using her recipe. Her books are my go-to when I need something quick and easy to make, and yeah, way to use up leftover mashed pumpkin!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my goodness, that recipe looks incredibly easy! Now I know what to do with that sad little can of neglected Pumpkin Puree in the cupboard. thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for the recipe - perfect for Australia Day. You've inspired me to whip up a batch to take to a bbq today and I'm thinking I might make some little Flo flags on toothpicks for decoration.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think Flo did more for Australians hands down....I love pumpkin scones! Your tea set is a bit fabulous also- enjoy your Australian day Veggie Mama

    ReplyDelete
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