How to cook taro?

[Pseudonym]

On paper, taro looks like a fantastic food source. It's carbs are relatively low GI and there aren't many of them (just 6g carbs/100g).

I thought I might try it one day. Trouble is, my last attempt was a total failure. Somehow I managed to produce a grey-purple ball of something that was slimy on the outside and gaggingly dry on the inside. It wasn't nice, and I'm sure it should have been.

So what did I do wrong? How do I make taro taste good?

[nate225]

On paper, taro looks like a fantastic food source. It's carbs are relatively low GI and there aren't many of them (just 6g carbs/100g).

I thought I might try it one day. Trouble is, my last attempt was a total failure. Somehow I managed to produce a grey-purple ball of something that was slimy on the outside and gaggingly dry on the inside. It wasn't nice, and I'm sure it should have been.

So what did I do wrong? How do I make taro taste good?

I either cube it and boil it like you probably did, or microwave it (goes a bit dry). I eat like that, kinda tastes like a potato out of a hangi.

Alternately its awesome with Thai Red curry (lots of cocunut cream) on top of taro cubes!

Might want to get some feedback from the Samoan & Tongan guys on traditional taro meals.

I think a big part is picking good taro & then prepping it (removing that dry rot kinda stuff). Again I'm no expert on the above, my Samoan ex-flatmate used to use a can lid to scrape the taro before cooking, I just use a knife but seem to lose a lot of the taro.

[Grover]

That about sums it up!

Usually eat it with Pulusami (coconut cream)

Think its an aquired taste unless you are brought up on it.

eaten with lots of fatty foods it sort of soaks the grease etc up haha

[severe]

I peeled, cut and cooked it like potato, then when it was soft enough to stick a knife through, I drained off the water then simmered it in coconut oil for another 5-10 minutes.

Totally awesome. Not sure if I did it right though, but it sure was a hit at home.

An island guy I worked with a decade ago used to wrap pieces in tin foil and bake them. man they were really good!

[Grover]

Oh forgot like potatoes there are many different varities

When the blight effected the taro crops a few years ago MAF released genitically modified versions which taste different to the older types but are resistant to blight so higher crop yields

[Pseudonym]

So when choosing your taro, are there certain attributes to look for (or avoid)? For instance, are small ones likely to be sweeter and old ones likely to be tough?

I think some experimentation will be required.

[nate225]

So when choosing your taro, are there certain attributes to look for (or avoid)? For instance, are small ones likely to be sweeter and old ones likely to be tough?

I think some experimentation will be required.

I try to avoid taro with too many soft spots - tends to be that 'dry rot' stuff I refered to earlier (maybe the 'blight' Grover mention???). That way you dont lose to much when prepping (all weight you're paying for at the market as well!).

[Grover]

:wink:

Only choose Taro from Samoa! guaranteed best quality.

Govt regulates export of it so keep a close eye on quality, in fact stopped a container load just last week as felt wasn't up to export standard

[tomsammce]

ahhhh the natural steroid... lol

[Grover]

ahhhh the natural steroid... lol

116kg and growing, only eating it occassionally maybe I should do a trial bulk on Taro!

[xmen007]

You've pretty much got it down, it's really important that when you do cook it either by boiling it that it's cooked properly as the sap from the taro can cause some itching around the mouth and the throat (sort of like an allergic reaction) for some people.

Just a tip when boiling it: Treat it like boiling potatoe, you can't over cook it but once it's cooked, drain the water straight away (the old-man always made a point to do it), I think it's so the taro isn't soaking in the cooked sap.

That's my two cents anyways...

[Mikeymike]

This is cool I had no clue how to cook it till now that curry sounds mean cheers

[paul2010]

The next Sun you pop into Wolf's, I'll take ya to my fale (house) and show ya buddy, so make sure you bring your hunger for some real island soul food eh! 8)