Aracacha - The Root Crop That Replaces Potatoes

Video: Aracacha - The Root Crop That Replaces Potatoes

Video: Aracacha - The Root Crop That Replaces Potatoes
Video: No Dig Potato Harvest 2024, November
Aracacha - The Root Crop That Replaces Potatoes
Aracacha - The Root Crop That Replaces Potatoes
Anonim

Arakacha is one of the oldest root crops in North and South America. The leaves are similar to parsley and range from dark green to purple. The roots look like big and white carrots.

The most used part of the plant is the root. It can be eaten raw, cooked, even fried. It has a taste and aroma that resembles the taste of celery and carrot. In the cooked state it can be a substitute for potatoes. With the root of Aracacha can be made purees, dumplings and gnocchi, pastries, cream soups with finely chopped parsley and croutons and more.

In the Andean region, they make chips from it and biscuits. These roots have a very high starch content, which varies between 10% and 25%. As it is easily digestible, the root is quite preferred for the composition of baby purees and soups. In some countries they also make sweet bread from it.

Fresh Arakacha can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.

The daily intake of 100 grams of root provides about 100 calories. The plant is four times richer in calcium than ordinary potatoes. The yellow variety contains significant amounts of carotenoids, pigments that are precursors of vitamin A.

Puree of Aracacha
Puree of Aracacha

So excessive consumption of yellow Arakacha may cause yellowing of the skin, which is not considered harmful.

In addition to calcium, the root is a rich source of other valuable substances and vitamins such as fiber, protein, lipids, P-Carotene, Ascorbic acid, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamin C and others.

The young stems can be eaten boiled or in salads, and the leaves can be fed to animals. Aracacha is usually grown in small home gardens. They are often planted between or together with other food crops such as potatoes, coffee, beans and corn.

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