Going totally green for Irish celebration

SCOTT HAMMOND/Marlborough Express

SLAINTE! Blenheim butcher Mike Newman raises his glass, wishes people good health and gives them the chance to celebrate St Patrick's Day with some green sausages.

Relevant offers

Green sausages are a St Patrick's Day special at Blenheim's Meaters of Marlborough.

Owner Mike Newman said this morning he had made about 20 kilograms so far and more could be made, depending on demand.

"I do it for one or two of the local bars and we attempt to sell one or two [here]. But we usually end up giving them away," he chuckled, adding: "They taste better than they look."

Mr Newman would not share his "top secret" ingredients to turn them green, but said they were made with lamb and pork in the traditional Kiwi way.

"And they're pre-cooked, for those who wish to have a barbie and a Guinness."

Mr Newman was planning on having a few Irish brews himself after work this evening.

"My great-great grandma was Bridget O'Farrell. She owned racehorses, was a devout Catholic and she smoked a pipe."

Mr Newman said he was proud of his Irish heritage. "And the Irish rugby team is the only team in the world I would allow to beat the All Blacks – and they still haven't done it."

- The Marlborough Express