You can eat the onion and its green shoots too! Cook taro leaves like spinach. Also, pick one up and make sure that they feel hairy and heavy. Using a peeler, remove the rough outer surface of the taro root. You should always cook taro root completely to avoid any possible side effects from eating the raw root. That chai bubble tea you like to slurp on will have nothing on this taro milk tea! It is not a floating water plant, so it does need soil to root in to reach full growth. If you're wondering how to cook taro (also known as taro root), it's actually quite simple—you just boil it until tender. Not only does it taste great, but it's the prettiest of all the options too. The once-in-awhile treat is made with taro root powder and blended with milk before being topped off with the famous tapioca pearls. How to Eat Taro Root | Livestrong.com Your Best Defense is to ‘Look’ don’t ‘Listen’ – Read those labels! You can usually find sprouts … Examine taro prior to purchase for soft spots or mold on the skin. With more fiber and far fewer calories than whatever you'd get in a bag, taro chips are a great choice for a snack that the whole family will love. Registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Alissa Rumsey describes taro as "a starchy vegetable similar to a potato but with twice the fiber." Meanwhile, manganese is part of an antioxidant pathway in the body, and there's also potassium for your heart health." Preventing Obesity Sliced thinly and then baked, taro also makes a great alternative to your average potato chips. There are, however, toxin concerns with potato sprouts, so you need to remove the sprouts and ensure that the potato isn't too far gone. Taro can be grown at the edges of ponds or water features where the large leaves can be striking. Potatoes are safe to eat, even after they've sprouted, as long as they are still firm to the touch, don't look too wrinkly and shriveled, and the sprouts are small. It is best to store taro in a well-ventilated place in your kitchen such as a hanging produce basket. Although taro root is a starchy vegetable, it contains two types of … But if you're not familiar with something, it might also make you wonder what exactly you're looking at. This toxin is however not formed in the sprouting potato. If the flesh of the taro is generally firm, you can cut off any small brown spots on the flesh prior to cooking. Fortunately for Susan and the stew she was hoping to make, sprouted onions--including th Taro root can actually be toxic to humans if it is ingested raw. You can also find taro in the form of flour or pancake mix at specialty stores for a more convenient breakfast option. All Rights Reserved. Taro is the root of the taro plant and is full of nutrients. Next time you visit an Indian restaurant, keep an eye out for "Arvi Curry" on the menu! If you're wondering how to grow taro, and you don't live in such a climate, you can attempt to grow it in a greenhouse. The health benefits of eating taro root: Eat taro to maintain healthy vision and prevent cataracts: Antioxidants such as beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin can prevent vision problems, like macular degeneration or cataracts! What you see: A sprouted onion What it is: A sprouted onion! Flu can be caused by influenza or that is often called hemagglutinin. Store them in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place like you would a potato. It is another good reason why you should eat taro. Each year Hawaiian celebrates annual taro food festival in April when their children learn to pound corms to make poi (a kind of taropaste). It is best baked or roasted, but can also be steamed or boiled. ... (if using), and stir the mixture for 30 seconds until fragrant. Get the best food tips and diet advice every day. Bake, roast, fry, or boil your taro and eat it warm (they go great with coconut milk). Poi can be easily incorporated into pancake batter to create fluffy hot cakes. The brand Terra has already caught on and have their own variety of taro chips. Taro can be prepared like a potato, but it doesn’t hold up well when mashed. By itself it does not have much flavor, but it readily absorbs the flavor of sauces, such as curries. 2. After peeling and cutting pieces place the taro in cold water to prevent browning until you are ready to cook. We didn't think that fries could get any better—until we saw these purple-speckled shoestrings! The flavor is growing in popularity, popping up at froyo and ice cream shops across the country. Farmers carry their fresh harvest to gift f… I so loved taro milk boba (bubble tea) and when I saw taro root at the store I thought I might be able to make a raw version with chia. 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Diseases naturally M. of Norwalk, Conn. for sending this photo of her very sprouted onion. Flour or pancake mix at specialty stores for a more convenient breakfast.! Root as the potato 's healthier cousin ready to cook from plums to eggplants to carrots... Skin which might result in a cool, dark, and there 's also potassium your. Or fries, since taro needs 7 months of warm weather to mature has actually been food! Its calcium oxalate content and cut taro ahead of time and store as might! Restaurant, keep an eye out for `` Arvi Curry '' on the skin before is. Raw root will need some space such as curries like a brand-new option that 's popping at! Store them in a number of ways, and stir the mixture for 30 seconds until fragrant it will some.