Produce Briefs...
Orange Honeydew Melon
Oval-to-round and a delicious cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew, the very fleshy juicy orangish-yellow pulp of the orange honeydew melon is encased in a hard very yellow matching rind.
Spring Onions
Spring onions are most often utilized raw. The whole onion can be flash blanched and grilled, which brings out more the robust and sweet elements of the onions, and makes them a bolder pair for fish and meats
Seasons/Availability
Big taro root is available year round.
Current Facts
Referred to as the potato of the humid tropics, taro is a perennial tropical plant grown for its swollen rootstock and for its leafy vegetation. The plant rarely flowers or seeds and relies on the roots for vegetative propagation. Simply replanting a portion of the rootstock creates a whole new plant.
Description/Taste
Depending on the variety, Taro root has the resemblance of sweet potato in shape and the texture of a coconut - its skin course, hairy and knobby with shades of the earth. Its flesh can be stark white or lavender in color. It has a texture similar to a water chestnut. Its flavor is mild and slightly nutty.
Applications
A staple of Hawaiian cuisine, taro's starchy corm, or underground stem, is eaten principally as poi, prepared by mashing the cooked corm. Its steamed leaves (lu‘au) and flowers (pua) can be eaten alone, but are generally used in dishes with meats, fish, coconut milk, and other vegetables. It is often made into desserts such as bua loi.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Hawaii, Taro (kalo) is a vital part of the cultural and agricultural traditions. Prior to western contact, when the population of Hawaii consisted exclusively of Hawaiians, Taro was the major food staple. There were more than 300 recognized forms. Today, although taro shares its role as a staple with rice, potatoes, pasta, and bread, it remains an important crop to Hawaii. It is eaten principally as poi, prepared by mashing the cooked root. It is also grown for table taro and lu'au (leaf production).
Geography/History
Taro is native to southeast Asia and is one of the very first known cultivated vegetables. Taro is cultivated in swampy soils and flooded parcels along with rice and other semi-aquatic crops. It is also cutivated in upland conditions where it relies on rainfall and irrigation. It is widely cultivated today in tropical Africa, China and the Far East. Taro has a global culinary presence though. Over 10% of the world's population uses it as food staple. It is used in cuisines in over forty countries throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America, South America, the Caribbean and Pacific islands.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Burger Lounge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-450-5993 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Burger Lounge Kensington | San Diego CA | 619-584-2929 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Marine Room | San Diego CA | 858-551-4676 |
| Inn at the Park | San Diego CA | 619-296-0057 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 800 843 4661 |
| West Steak and Seafood | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-9100 |
| Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Burger Lounge Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-487-1183 |
| Burger Lounge La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-456-0196 |
| Burger Lounge Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-6835 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| J six | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Achio | San Diego CA | 310-402-6195 |
| Burger Lounge Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-955-5727 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-451-9100 |
| Roy's La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-455-1616 |
| Croces | San Diego CA | 619-233-4355 |
| Bacci | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| Starlite | San Diego CA | 619-358-9766 |
| Stingaree | San Diego CA | 619-544-0867 |
| Searsucker | San Diego CA | 619-233-7327 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Paradise Point Resort Baleen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Le Papagayo | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Alchemy Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-255-0616 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Burger Lounge Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-237-7878 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Big Taro Root. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Sailu's Kitchen |
|
Chamadumpala Pulusu Arbi (Taro Root) Curry |
| 枫伊粥食 |
|
八宝芋 |
Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Big Taro Root using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Pangas Beach Club Guanacaste, Costa Rica About 9 days ago |
