Everyone has their own ideas on the best way to cook salted Mutton Birds. I have heard of people soaking them in water for 3 days, changing the water many times while boiling them or cooking them in the microwave without boiling them. I have even heard of people cooking them with a rock. This is the best way I have found of cooking salted Mutton Birds.

Place the desired amount of salted Mutton Birds in a large pot of water. Add your favourite boil up vegetables- cabbage, kumara, potatoes, onion, peas, carrots and whatever other vegetables you have.

Place the pot on an element on high heat. Bring the water to the boil, let it boil heavily for 5 minutes and then tip out the water, this prevents the Mutton Birds tasting too salty, if you love salty food skip this step. If you don’t like your food to be salty at all repeat this step.

Put fresh water in the pot, with the element still being on high. Once the water comes to the boil, allow it to boil heavily for 5 minutes.

Turn the element down to low and let the pot simmer for around an hour. If you are uncertain if the Mutton Birds are properly cooked, try pulling off a leg. If it easily pulls off then they are cooked.

Remove the Mutton Birds from the pot; place them in a roasting dish and put it under the grill for around 15 minutes or until they are as crispy as you like.

Serve the Mutton Birds with the vegetables; the vegetables will have taken on the delicious Mutton Bird flavour. I like to make a packet gravy up to enhance the flavour.

Yum, savour the unique Titi flavour and feel the health. Your body will thank you for this nutritious omega 3 rich meal. Some people like to save the water and boil up a chicken or ducks in the water the next day.