Añú is a cold-hardy, perennial plant related to the nasturtium that people grow in their flower gardens. The plant can climb up about 7 feet (2 metres) tall or spread out along the ground. The flowers, yellow petals with red spurs, are smaller than those of garden nasturtiums. The plant is classed as an herb….
Latin American
Cassava
Cassava (aka Yuca) © Leclaire & Schenk The Cassava plant is a shrub that grows from about 3 to 10 feet above ground (1 to 3 metres), with huge tuberous roots about 3 feet long (1 metre) weighing up to 20 pounds (9 kg.) The roots have a rough, brown, tough exterior bark-like skin, with…
Malanga
Malanga is a starchy root vegetable that looks like a yam. The plant is a tropical rain forest plant, but it doesn’t need water all the time, and grows fine in full sunlight. The temperature, though, must remain above 68 F (20°C.) Above ground, the plant can grow 5 feet (1.5 metres) tall or more….
Oca
Oca is a root vegetable. Above ground, the plant (which is actually an herb) is a very small perennial, only growing about 8 to 12 inches high (20 to 30 cm.) Its stems can be yellow and green or purplish. It is propagated by replanting its tubers. The edible tubers that grow underground look like…
Salmuera
Salmuera is Spanish for brine, or put even more simply salt water. You’ll see it called for sometimes in Latin American recipes, especially Argentine ones. Cooking Tips Because it’s just salt water, it’s very easy to make. Whisk 2 teaspoons of fine salt or 1 tablespoon of a coarser salt, such as Maldon, Kosher or…
White Sweet Potatoes
White Sweet Potatoes (aka Camote) © Leclaire & Schenk White Sweet Potatoes are a sweet potato that is very popular in the Caribbean and in Latin America — it’s what they think of when they hear “sweet potato.” The potatoes have rough, mottled skin that can be purplish or reddy with creamy-white flesh inside, and…
Yacon
Yacon is a South American root vegetable related to North American Jerusalem Artichokes and to sunflowers. The plant can be propagated from pieces of the root. It does not tolerate frost well.The plant takes about 6 to 7 months to grow. Above ground, the plant can grow up to 7 feet (2 metres) tall. The…