Possum pies selling like hot cakes

A new culinary treat available at a Nelson cafe promises to turn the stomachs of vegetarians.

Pete's Possum Pies were proving popular at Zest delicatessen and cafe, said owner Chere Harris.

Although she admitted being "a bit of a wuss" when it came to sampling them, she had been assured by an staff member that the pies were premium-grade.

"It's sort of that novelty factor, I think once people get past the road kill thing. I'm going to be reordering."

Nearly 20 pies, selling at $4 each, have been snapped up by hungry punters since they went on sale 10 days ago.

The products are made by West Coasters Peter and Justine Salter who were in Nelson recently looking for a retail market for their fare.

Mr Salter said the meat came from a MAF-inspected and approved Whangarei processing plant.

The couple own The Bushman's Centre at Pukekura, near Ross.

Along with their possum delicacies, they've been serving up "Bambi burgers, headlight delights and guess that mess" to diners for about eight years.

Some people said possum tasted a bit like chicken, others had compared it to mutton, wild duck and guinea pig, Mr Salter said.

- NZPA