Name a traditional Maori dish made from the earth oven.

Hangi is a traditional Maori dish that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Maori people in New Zealand. This method of cooking involves an earth oven where food is placed in a pit dug in the ground, layered with hot stones that have been heated in a fire. The food, which typically includes meats like chicken, pork, or lamb along with root vegetables such as kumara (sweet potato) and potatoes, is then covered with earth and left to cook for several hours. This slow cooking method infuses the food with a unique smoky flavor while keeping it moist and tender.

The significance of hangi goes beyond just the food itself; it is often a communal event that brings people together, symbolizing hospitality and the importance of family and community in Maori culture. The preparation and enjoyment of hangi can be an integral part of celebrations, gatherings, and cultural rituals, making it much more than a simple meal.

Other choices like roti, sushi, and paella represent different culinary traditions that do not relate to the Maori culture or the traditional method of cooking in an earth oven, thus highlighting the unique nature of hangi in New Zealand's culinary landscape.