Sunday 20 July 2008

TARO

Last Wednesday Mary brought along some taro rhizomes she grew in her garden, (not a damp spot) down Port Adelaide way, to share. There was a bit of confusion as to wether the leaves where edible or not, so this is what I’ve found out from my book ‘Growing your own FOOD BEARING PLANTS in Australia’ by Selby Gouldstone.
Taro Colocasia antiquorum esculenta
‘A small lily-like plant universally cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics for its edible, tuberous, starch-rich rhizome, and the large, fleshy leaves which are also edible when young and thoroughly boiled. Taro likes rich, damp soil and is commonly planted along the edge of small rivulets or swampy, boggy places. An excellent potato substitute taro can be either boiled or roasted. It is also delicious when fried in a little vegetable oil, particularly y over an open fire outdoors.
Readily propagated by division. Within one season the tubers should be ready for eating.’

3 comments:

Maggie said...

Photo 7 under photos is galangal not taro (I think) but what did Cath bring?, check the photos.
Okay next time I shall take notes.

Kate said...

I think you are right Maggie - Cath brought galangal but she said taro by mistake.Those roots also look like arrowroot!!We will have to wait and see what grows...Kath is planting them outside the straw-bale house door.
The other thing Cath brought was yacon. See the photos, I have now put some captions.

Maggie said...

It was what Mary bought, I was questioning. Its just that Deb was going to plant for materials for basket making.(3 bags and 1 basket of stuff, what are they?)