If you missed Botany Chapter 101, let's delve into the wonderful kingdom of tubers. This category of vegetables is diverse and includes examples such as potatoes, taro, and sweet potatoes. Underground plants are plants with solid underground stems that develop hair-like roots below the surface, which serve as an energy source for the development of plant shoots. They are nutritionally stable, rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber and various vitamins and minerals.
Now let's plant sweet potatoes. They are grown all over the world and come in a variety of flavors, shapes and textures. Take, for example, Ghanaian sweet white, a mild variety that is excellent for frying, roasting or roasting. Or the bright purple pearlescent ube from the Philippines, which tastes like vanilla, is the perfect complement to countless desserts. Among these features, there are many other destinations waiting to be explored. Join us on this exciting journey as we explore the amazing world this tube brings to us.
Read more: 23 types of potatoes and when to use them
American sweet potato
If you're like most Americans, you might be surprised to learn that the sweet treat gracing your Thanksgiving table is actually a sweet potato. Real trees have a dry, powdery texture with rough, hairy bark that requires a lot of effort to peel. On the other hand, sweet potatoes have a sweet, moist texture and skin that peels easily.
The name confusion has an interesting history. In the 1930s, Louisiana farmers introduced the orange-fleshed sweet potato. People began calling it "yam" to distinguish it from the familiar golden variety. The word "yam" was previously used as a nickname for sweet potatoes in the South. The word was introduced into English by slaves in West Africa who, when they saw the harvest, compared it to the fruit of their homeland and began using words in their native language to describe the harvest, such as niam, niami or yum. Marketers realized this and immediately put the new name on the product packaging.
Despite efforts to eliminate such linguistic confusion, it may still persist. Despite their names, American candy brands like Covington, Beauregard and Orleans have a lot to offer in the kitchen. Perfect for baking, steaming and blending, this variety excels in recipes like hot savory stews and sweet pies.
japanese mountain sweet potato
This type of sweet originating from Japan, Taiwan and Korea is also called yamaimo. The shape is elongated cylindrical and the skin is light brown with tufts of hair. Flavor-wise, it is slightly sweeter and similar to jicama. After cutting, the pulp is white and has a soft and visible texture. Slimy is not usually a positive image, especially in the kitchen, but this consistency is what makes yamimo so useful in the kitchen.
Sliced and cooked, the tenderness of yamaimo is the perfect accompaniment to savory pancakes like Japanese okonomiyaki. Horseradish also adds real thickness to soy sauce and enhances the texture of traditional Japanese noodle dishes like hiyashi yamakake udon. Although Japanese mountain noodles have many uses when cooked (they are also delicious fried or stir-fried), mountain noodles serve a dual purpose as a raw ingredient. All you need to do is peel and cut the lettuce into thin slices. Or dress the slices with shoyu (a type of soy sauce) or ponzu (a citrus-based sauce similar to a vinaigrette) and enjoy crudité style.
White sweet potato (Ghana sweet potato)
Native to Africa, particularly West and Central Africa, navy beans have high agricultural value as a cash crop in the region. These trees are available year-round and exhibit large sizes ranging from potato-sized specimens to over 100 pounds. The shape is cylindrical, light brown, with the skin slightly hairy and the outer part is easily removed, the color is sweet white, with the white pulp inside. Regardless of the texture, it is creamy and the flavor has a mild nutty profile.
White sweet potatoes play an important role in various cuisines in Ghana and other West African countries. Popular dishes include amasi, a delicious combination of steamed pancakes with a stew or medium sauce, and asana, a one-pot creation mixed with vegetables, fish and spices that exudes a delicious purity. There are fries for those who want a new dessert. It looks exactly the same: sweet and salty potato chips fried in vegetable oil. It is often served with pepper sauce and is a popular street food in Ghana and Nigeria.
yellow jam
Like the white sweet, the yellow sweet is one of the most cultivated species in Africa. They are also known as green or yellow Guinea yams, reflecting their country of origin and the yellow color of their flesh. You will also find them in the Caribbean, hence their other nickname: Jamaican sweet potatoes. The bright color comes from carotenoids, the same color found in carrots and sweet potatoes. Despite having a flavor profile reminiscent of sweet potatoes, yellow noodles are distinguished by their larger size and crispy skin, as well as having a dry, starchy texture.
Like white noodles, yellow noodles show great versatility in cooking. It can be boiled, fried, roasted or fried. These peppers can be found in a variety of soups, stews, and curries. Their adaptability makes them a staple in many African and Jamaican cuisines. The list includes yam jollof, a sweet soup made with a combination of boiled shrimp, fish and vegetables, as well as Jamaican yellow soup, a sweet porridge made with coconut milk, green vegetables and yellow vegetables.
indian yam
Like many delicacies, Indian has many names. These include true yam, yampee (also spelled yampee), tropical yam, sweet potato, and kush-kush (also spelled kush-kush). As the name suggests, tropical noodles are grown in hot, humid areas of Asia, Africa and Latin America. They have a tough, dark brown skin that is difficult to peel when raw but softens when cooked. Because of its dry texture and relatively mild flavor, recipes that include this cake are designed to deliver flavor and moisture.
In the Caribbean, baked noodles are a popular comfort food. Far from being a simple side dish, pancake mash is combined with roasted onions, peppers, herbs and spices to create a complete meal for any day. Meanwhile, in tropical West Africa, this delicacy is peeled and sliced and is the main ingredient in yam ragout, a spicy meat, tomato and onion soup.
Philippine purple yam (Ube)
If there was competition for Yam's popularity, Yube would easily take the crown. While it is an essential ingredient in Filipino desserts such as ube-macapuno cake and halo-halo (colorful parfait-like dishes topped with shaved ice, sweetened condensed milk, ube jam, and other sweets), its popularity is growing. . In the mid-2010s in the United States, Manila Social Club, a Filipino restaurant in Miami, introduced the Yube, a $100 golden donut, to American consumers in 2015.
This bubblegum purple beauty quickly captured the hearts of American diners and other home cooks alike. Not only does its bright color look amazing on camera, but its delicious vanilla flavor makes it a versatile ingredient for a variety of desserts. For example, there is purple ube halaya, a jam-like dish that adds a delicious flavor to morning toast. Or why not try an ube latte? This is an interesting drink that will make you say goodbye to your usual games. And don't forget the desserts: ice cream, brownies and mochi are some of the desserts that are prepared with this wonderful dessert.
elephantiasis
With its large size and disc shape, the elephant claw bears a striking resemblance to its namesake. Also known as suran or gimikhand, elephantiasis originates from Southeast Asia and India. Like any sweet dish, it has a variety of uses in the kitchen. A common preparation is to boil it with onions, tomatoes and spices to produce a delicious curry. Likewise, if boiled and baked, it will be a delicious (and healthy) snack. Alternatively, they can be used to cook yam bharta, which combines mashed potatoes with garlic, green chillies and lemon juice.
While its earthy, slightly rich flesh takes center stage, don't overlook the leaves. Soaking them in salt water for 15 minutes and rinsing them quickly will prepare them for your next masterpiece. Apart from being a food, elephant foot fungus plays an important role in Indian medical systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, where the fungus is used to control ailments such as cough, bleeding and constipation.
chinese sweet potato
Due to their similar shape, size and color, Chinese noodles, known as cinnamon vines or cinnamon vines because of their cinnamon-scented flowers, are often confused with Japanese mountain beans. Despite the understandable confusion, a closer look will reveal significant differences between the two. Chinese yamas are generally short and stocky, while Japanese yamas are tall and thin. Additionally, skin color varies: Japanese swords have brown fur and Chinese swords have skin closer to light fawn.
In terms of application, Chinese noodles play an important role in traditional Chinese medicine. Experts recommend it to improve digestive health, increase energy, and reduce inflammation. Chinese fruits are recommended to relieve symptoms of asthma, diabetes and menopause in addition to treating everyday health problems. When cooked, its mild flavor, firm texture, and slightly slippery texture make it a versatile addition to soups, stir-fries, and stews. They can also be enjoyed raw, dried, or pureed with cabbage to make an easy and delicious side dish.
a little jam
Despite their simple name, small cakes have many benefits. This species, which grows in Vietnam and India, was one of the first cultivated. Rich in nutrients, dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and manganese. In addition to its nutritional benefits, the fruit stays fresh for up to six months, making it a strong candidate to address Southeast Asia's food security crisis.
The small sweets, in addition to their pretty bottom, are also delicious with a pleasant flavor reminiscent of sweet potato or chestnuts. Potatoes are versatile and can be boiled, baked or fried, similar to how you would prepare potatoes. They also grate well and can be cooked whole in a potato-style sauce. In Vietnam they shine in dishes like chi chin tien, also known as mini sweet pudding. To prepare this dessert, chopped cooked sweets are mixed with water, sugar and tapioca flour, resulting in a gelatinous dish that can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Potato food in the air
Remember when we altered your understanding of the phrase by explaining that the holiday "sweet potato" was actually a sweet potato? Well, get ready for another revelation. Air potatoes, despite their simple name, are not potatoes. They belong to the yam family. This species is native to Asia, the South Pacific, and northern Australia, but the female air potato has been introduced to the United States. Unfortunately, this food is invasive and considered safe to eat, so your only chance to try it may be during the holidays.
By the way, once you take the first bite, you will definitely know that it is potato air. Although cooking and spices help change the flavor, these fruits are very bitter. Fermentation not only eliminates some of the acidity, but also helps reduce hunger. Once you get over the sour, bitter taste, baked potato noodles are versatile and delicious when fried, stir-fried, or baked. In Asian cuisine, they are a popular addition to savory pancakes such as okonomiyaki. Additionally, they can be included in miso soup, curry and tempura.
Read the first article about Tasting Table.
