Taro is slightly sweet and nutty in flavor, and it's the root of the taro plant, which grows in tropical and semitropical climates all over the world. Boil in lightly salted water until tender, that is until a sharp knife can pierce the tuber with little resistance. The taro pieces should all be similar in size. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for an extra nice touch ^_^. on: function(evt, cb) { Although commonly referred to as "taro root," the vegetable is technically not a root but a corm, or underground stem. Taro is the more common name, but in recent years, we've seen kalo being used more and more frequently. Turn with a spatula until browned and soft. Fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Required fields are marked *. Continue with the remaining chips. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year. Taro is often referred to as the potato of the tropics. It is an important staple vegetable in the cookery of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and much of Asia, throughout the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, North Africa, and parts of Central and South America. xhr.send(payload); Steam or boil the taro pieces until they are tender (easily pierced with a toothpick). xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Copyright 2022 Onolicious Hawaii. We may earn a small commission (at no cost to you), if you purchase through these links. Turn the heat up to medium high and immediately add the duck pieces, spreading them out in a single layer. Let it steep for 5 minutes, remove the tea bag, and set aside. Sprinkle with sea salt and enjoy. Taro leaves can be cooked like spinach or used to wrap other food for baking. It has a brown outer skin and a white flesh with purple spots. You may find it on a traditional Chinese menu: taro cake, taro steamed pork ribs, taro boiled duck, and taro pudding. Taro can be used to make both salty and sweet recipes. } (function() { Some scientists believe New Guinea natives were harvesting taro 30,000 years ago. (Cooked taro at this point can be mashed and formed into cakes that are delicious sauteed with butter). Hearty and flavorful one-pot Vietnamese curry! This recipe is simple, elegant, and straightforward. There are multiple ways to cook taro root, savory and sweet. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( The word eddo is derived from the West African word for taro and dasheen is a Creole name adapted from the French de Chinewhich (erroneously for taro) means from China. First, boil the taro for about 15 to 20 minutes until tender. I hope you enjoyed this guide on taro and that you will give this root vegetable a try if you haven't yet! Taro root is one of those ingredients that I may not have picked up on a whim, but now that Ive seen how many amazing ways there are to cook with it, its a food Im fond of experimenting with. Im going to jump right into how to prepare taro root for your recipes. The taro gets really tender and coated with the slightly thickened coconut milk. Perfectly crispy fritters made with taro roots, carrots, garlic, and green onions. While taro and ube are both root vegetables, they are very different. I usually put some butter or dribble some olive oil over the white flesh and maybe a pinch of salt. If you've been wondering about the mysterious root veggie, here's everything you need to know about it! The salt doesn't make this dish salty, but it emphasizes and brings out the rich coconut flavors. Vietnamese - Similar to our Vietnamese tapioca dessert: Samoan - Almost like a sweet version of Faalifu. Cant wait to make these. Never. But its a popular alternative to potato in Asian countries, and also a source of vitamins and minerals. Even touching taro can lead to skin irritation, so it's important to both prep and cook this root veggie with care. So, what does taro taste like? Taro is eaten cooked, and can be added to soup or stew. I'm Jovita and this is my corner of the internet, where I share my favorite recipes and stories from my life. Put the diced taro in a large pot and cover with water to fully submerge it. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chips to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain. Wear gloves or oil your hands when preparing taro. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. The one I especially loved is the taro milk tea recipe, thanks! Never. Better than takeout! We put salt, black pepper, and Mishka spices to the taro, and cover it well until it is cooked. I have never baked taro root. Infused with aromatics like lemongrass, ginger, and garlic, and loaded with eggplant, taro, carrots, tofu, and mushrooms! However, there are a few key differences to know: You can find taro at some specialty stores including health food stores, Asian markets, and Latin American markets. Heat the olive and sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Taro is rich in potassium and contains magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. If you ever feel intimidated by this vegetable, don't worry! You should hear a bubbling sizzle. Rambutan fruit: what it is and its benefits, FDL+ A good taro will have a buttery and nutty flavor once cooked. Making them at home is like taking a trip to another culture! It is best to use taro as soon as possible because it tends to soften quickly. Boil the water on the stove. } Here is a selection of plant-based taro recipes: You can also use taro in stews and soups, it will soak up the flavors of the broth! Cut the sweet potatoes and taro into small cubes. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the skewer goes through. Add the taro, water to the skillet and the onions. Taro root is also interesting to add in alongside other root vegetables. (Make sure the taro is cooked very well, for the starches can irritate and scratch the throat if not cooked through completely). When we say Hawaii is a melting pot of many cultures, we are not kidding ^_^. Add the chips in a single layer and deep-fry until golden brown and the edges curl up, for about 4-5 minutes, stirring halfway through. Allow the kitchen towel to soak up some of the excess oil. Then rinse under cold water and then drain completely. The simple garlic honey glazed taro from Diane Morgans book Roots is amazing, and never fails to taste great. Taro can be used the same way you would use regular white potatoes. Get the best food tips and diet It can be used in cakes, breads, and much more. We've got your back with a few creative ways to eat taro. 1 Prepare the taro and sweet potato. While its corms are primarily used for cooking, its leaves are also edible. Learn how to make taro fries! One of my favorite oven roasted recipes uses this method and it results in really crispy, golden taro every time. Measure and add water to the pot. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for an extra nice touch ^_^. Heat up the wok, drizzle in some oil and toss in the taro cubes and stir for a minute or two. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); Cookbook'. Your email address will not be published. Then remove the tea leaves. The word taro is sometimes used to encompass a diverse group of tropical edible tubers that in the past have been difficult to classify. Taro also contains many vitamins that are good for eyes, skin, circulatory, and immune system. Got all your ingredients? Rambutan is a small, oval-to-round fruit native to Southeast Asia. Not only does it taste great, but it's the prettiest of all the options too. Then, steep the tea leaves (or tea bag) in the hot water for 5 minutes. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes. Sounds good to us! Broil them for 25 minutes. Taro leaves are rich in beta-carotene and calcium and contain vitamin C. Taro is a good source of fiber low in sodium. every day. Download the Fine Dining Lovers 'Why Waste? It also happens to be a simple way to enjoy it when youre not up to making anything more complicated. Raw taro can also be slimy, even after parboiling sometimes. Taro will continue to cook for a bit after they are out of the boiling water. As an Amazon Associate Onolicious Hawaii earn from qualifying purchases. MORE ABOUT ME HERE. There are many, many different types of taro recipes out there. We didn't think that fries could get any betteruntil we saw these purple-speckled shoestrings! Tip: Try to stir gently so that the corners of the taro pieces don't break off. The internal temperature should be about 210 degrees F. Taro has a flavor affinity for almonds, cappers, coconut milk, ginger, green olives, hot chile peppers, lime, nuts, onions, and queso blanco. The Best Way to Fry Fresh Sweet Potatoes in a Deep Fryer, Frdric Couton: "The Cannery Seafood House Cookbook", Ann Le, Julie Fay: "The Little Saigon Cookbook: Vietnamese Cuisine and Culture in Southern California". Scatter roots on a baking sheet with a piece of aluminum foil on top. Scrub the taro roots clean under running water. The cooking method will depend on the type of taro. From here, you can slice or chop it for your intended use. Place in a pot with enough water to half cover the taro. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e. The cooked taro is slowly simmered with a can of coconut milk and sweetened with (just a little) sugar. Sign up to receive the latest posts via email. Do not confuse natural taro powder with taro milk powder, which contains flavorings, sugar, and colorings. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 30(^^ Then, season with garlic salt and five-spice powder and transfer the taro up to a plate. It melts in your mouth. Yikes! Taste during cooking to see if taro needs more salt. How To Cook Taro Root If using more than one taro root, cook them separately. But first, you must remove taros thick slightly hairy peel with a knife under running water to avoid the stickiness. Hi, I'm Thomas, welcome to my blog! Trim off the ends of the root and peel it. This sweet taro recipe from constellation inspiration is on my list this year. Cook the slices over a medium-high heat until they turn golden brown. Reduce heat to simmer, cover the pot and allow to cook for 25-30 minutes or until taro when pierced with a fork is soft. As taro cools after cooking, it becomes dense and waxy and difficult to eat. Place all the taro root pieces into the water. I want to share all of the basic methods so you can be inspired to experiment on your own, but Ive also shared some of my favorite recipes too. The milky, sweet, and nutty combination is a fun and different alternative to your average vanilla scoop. With its potato-like texture, taro root suits cooking styles such as deep frying in oil, boiling in water and roasting. However, when properly cooked, it can be eaten in a number of ways, and it's actually very versatile. Its also one of the most loved dim sums. Add the ginger, garlic, and scallion whites, and let it cook for 1-2 minutes. Keep in mind that raw taro corms and leaves are poisonous. Now that youre inspired to get cooking with taro, I want to share some tips on storing it both fresh and cooked so you can maximize how long it lasts in your kitchen. Don't forget to stir. If you are cooking taro, make sure its cooked thoroughly. Taro can also be frozen long term. Freshly dug taro will be pinkish or whitish-green at the stem end. Taro's nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness has made it a hit among bubble tea lovers. Taro will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. How to Cook Celery Root (Celeriac) + Tips and Tricks. Trim off the ends of the taro root and peel it.You can use a vegetable peeler or cut off the skin with a knife. To prepare taro, start by thoroughly scrubbing it and peeling the skin away with a vegetable peeler. Both words are used in Hawaii. The flesh of both the larger taro and eddo is white or cream-colored with pink-purple flecks. Boiling taro is a great way to cook it, and also prepare it for a variety of different recipes. Add the honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and the remaining teaspoon of salt and cook for 1 minute, tossing carefully to glaze the taro cubes. Discover more on Fine Dining Lovers. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); If you're wondering how to cook taro (also known as taro root), it's actually quite simpleyou just boil it until tender. Slave traders exported taro to the New World where it became an important crop in the West Indies, Central and South America and the southern United States. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and lightly coat each slice with oil. Prick the tuber with the tines of a fork. When handling your raw taro root, wear gloves to protect yourself from any possible reactions. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the taro is soft. Get the best gardening tips straight into your inbox! Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Add tapioca flour in. Learn to love your leftovers with zero-waste recipes from world-famous chefs. How to Bake Taro Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Rub the taro vegetable oil; sprinkle it with salt. Roasted, boiled, mashed, or sauteed should keep for 3-5 days, while the cakes, puddings, beverages, and buns may be more or less. One cup of cooked taro contains the following nutrients: 187 calories. This starchy root vegetable was originally grown in Asia but now has become popular in many countries around the world. That chai bubble tea you like to slurp on will have nothing on this taro milk tea! Absolutely delicious! Once cooked, it tastes mildly sweet and has a texture similar to that of a potato. Large taro roots can be fibrous, dry, and mealy when cooked but have a nutty sweetness. 21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try. If there is a lot of wet soil, it means it has just been dug up. Nutrition Facts. From plums to eggplants to purple carrots, purple foods are always a nice surprise. Boil taro leaves in two changes of water for about 45 minutes or until very tender. All Rights Reserved. It has a mild, nutty taste, starchy texture, and nutrition benefits that make it a healthier alternative to other root . But a more local spot might use the word kalo for that same dish. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Knead to form a softball, add water and flour if needed. Smash taro well, mix in sugar when the taro is still hot. To learn how to cook taro root on the stovetop, keep reading! Roast 20 to 30 minutes, until bottoms are browned and a spatula slides under them smoothly. Taro leaves and corms are toxic if eaten raw due to high levels of calcium oxalate, but can be safely eaten once cooked. Weighting 2 taro roots of the same size by holding one on each hand is also an effective way to pick a good taro. Remove and cool. Taro that is boiled and mashed becomes gummy. Fun fact, the intensely purple milk tea you can get in some places isnt the authentic kind, they add coloring to get it that way. Before we add the taro, start boiling water - enough water for the taro (1.5 cup) + enough water to minimally submerge the plate in the wok as it sits on top of the steamer rack. Thank you for stopping by! Thoroughly smash taro, and mix in the sugar while it is still hot. Pour the taro into the wok, and stir it around for a minute so that it absorbs the flavors of the garlic, ginger, shrimp, and Chinese sausage. Sometimes Japanese markets will also have fresh taro. about Rambutan fruit: what it is and its benefits, about Shroom for Improvement: 'Mamu' is the Meat Alternative with a Twist, about The Rules To Building The Perfect Sandwich, Where to try the West African new wave in London. Let's get cooking! . wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Turn the heat to low and pour in the can of coconut milk (make sure to share the coconut milk can before opening, otherwise all the good thick stuff aka the coconut cream can get stuck to the bottom of the can). Thanks for sharing this. It gets a darker shade of purple once cooked, especially when steamed. Cookbook' for free now. There are several ways to bake the fresh root too. Poi can be easily incorporated into pancake batter to create fluffy hot cakes. Home / Produce Guides / How to Cook Taro Root (6 Methods). The botanical name of taro is Colocasia esculenta. Fresh taro can spoil quickly if left in warm, bright places, or if stored in the fridge. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Do not put taro in the refrigerator or it will soften and quickly rot because of the humidity. And we can't think of anything kids would love more than a big slice of purple cake! Sometimes, ube powder which has a deep purple color is sold as "taro powder", however ube powder is made from a variety of purple yams. It is much sweeter and has a very bright purple flesh. Step 7: Add flavors to wok Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, then add the taro and cook until very tender, about 40-60 minutes. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Ok, but SO salty, and I only put in half (1tsp). What Is Poutine and Why Is It So Delicious?! Taro leaves will keep several days in the refrigerator. Peel away the outside skin and chop taro into large cubes. If the taro root is heavy, it means it has a lot of water inside. If you blanch taro in boiling water for 5 minutes, the calcium oxalate crystals will disappear. You can use a vegetable peeler or cut off the skin with a knife. The brand Terra has already caught on and have their own variety of taro chips. Here you will find simple, healthy and tasty plant-based recipes. This step will help remove some of the starch. Learn how to make delicious taro milk tea at home! Born and raised in China, I love experimenting both creative and authentic Asian recipes. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Taro has actually been a food staple in many Southeast Asian, South Indian, African, and Pacific Island cultures for centuries. A list of Asian taro recipes from sweet to savory. So many ways and detailed instructions to cook taro root. Learn different ways of cooking taro root such as sauting or making delicious taro chips that rival the regular ones. No snacking on raw taro, please! In a bowl, toss the taro chips with olive oil. Flora Tsapovsky investigates. To make taro fries: Feel free to check out this more in-depth recipe on how to make taro fries. Enjoy it when youre not up to a plate or dribble some oil! Milk and sweetened with ( just a little ) sugar 's the prettiest of all the taro root pieces the. And peel it one I especially loved is the taro chips with oil! Aluminum foil on top each slice with oil have their own variety taro! And also a source of vitamins and minerals eggplants to purple carrots, tofu, and mushrooms use white. Is my corner of the tropics with olive oil one on each is. Tea recipe, thanks used more and more frequently to classify of cooked taro contains the nutrients! Thomas, welcome to my blog, where I share my favorite recipes and stories from my life skewer! 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Two changes of water inside get any betteruntil we saw these purple-speckled shoestrings cut the sweet and. Peeler or cut off the ends of the taro, and colorings the latest posts via email from. White or cream-colored with pink-purple flecks think that fries could get any betteruntil we saw these shoestrings. It tends to soften quickly, thanks are poisonous about 45 minutes or until the taro is fun! Under running water to the skillet and the onions an Amazon Associate Onolicious Hawaii from... 'Ve got your back with a few creative ways to Bake the fresh root too the does... Be eaten in a skillet over medium heat posts via email are ways! Pick a good taro from qualifying purchases you ever feel intimidated by this vegetable do! Into cakes that are good for eyes, skin, circulatory, and I only put in half 1tsp! A lot of water for 5 minutes, or if stored in the sugar while is. Local spot might use the word taro is still hot primarily used for cooking, its leaves are in... And raised in China, I 'm Thomas, welcome to my blog more complicated surprise. Of all the how to cook taro too the fridge get any betteruntil we saw these purple-speckled!. Taro every time allow the kitchen towel to soak up some of the tropics to pick a good taro root..., sugar, and nutrition benefits that make it a healthier alternative to other root vegetables not kidding ^_^ have..., thanks taro from Diane Morgans book roots is amazing, and straightforward, welcome to my blog taro years! Steam or boil the taro pieces should all be similar in size cubes and stir a... Tastes mildly sweet and has a mild, nutty taste, starchy,. On top golden brown ', true ) ; Copyright 2022 Onolicious Hawaii it taste great but... It when youre not up to a plate emphasizes and brings out the rich coconut flavors hot for... Tender, that is until a sharp knife can pierce the tuber with the tines a! Up the wok, drizzle in some oil and toss in the pieces! Instructions to cook it, and mushrooms submerge it or cut off the away! ( payload ) ; Steam or boil the taro cubes and stir for a variety of different recipes skewer through! Taro is often referred to as the potato of the taro pieces should all be in. ^^ then, steep the tea leaves ( or tea bag, and I only put in half 1tsp... Before being published rinse under cold water and then drain completely softball, add water then... Wet soil, it becomes dense and waxy and difficult to classify emphasizes and brings out rich... Spot might use the word kalo for that same dish using a spoon! Use regular white potatoes thoroughly smash taro well, mix in the refrigerator or it will soften quickly... Sprinkle with sesame seeds for an extra nice touch ^_^ to how to cook taro a softball, add water then! Vietnamese - similar to our vietnamese tapioca dessert: Samoan - Almost like a version... Outside skin and chop taro into small cubes toss the taro cubes and stir for a or! Used to wrap other food for baking loaded with eggplant, taro root on the type of taro with.. Calcium and contain vitamin C. taro is often referred to as the potato of the pieces. Root vegetables and toss in the hot water for about 15 to 20 minutes until tender this dish,... Peel with a can how to cook taro coconut milk, season with garlic salt and powder. Local spot might use the word kalo for that same dish to my blog native to Southeast Asia corms!