Have you heard of a vegetable that grows to a weight of 23kg? Or eaten a potato-like vegetable that tastes like vanilla?
Click start to play today’s Word Search, which will introduce you to exotic fruits and vegetables. Don’t forget to check out Gulf News’ Food section, where you can find recipes, guides, and lots more!
Jicama, pronounced "hick-uh-ma", is one of food items you can spot in today’s Word Search. Also called yam bean and Mexican turnip, the root vegetable is native to South America, and can grow up to two metres long, while weighing as much as 23kg!
Jicama is known to contain a soluble fibre called oligofructose inulin – a sweet, inert carbohydrate that does not metabolise into simple sugars. In other words, it’s perfect for people with diabetes, who can enjoy some of this sweet vegetable without worrying about blood sugar fluctuations.
Another word you can find today is taro, pronounced “tawr-oh”. Also known as eddoe or dasheen, it originated in the Bay of Bengal region of the Subcontinent and is an ancient crop, with mentions even in Japanese history from more than 2,500 years ago. Described as having a sweet vanilla taste with a floral scent and a potato texture, this plant is like no other!
In Hawaii, the story goes that Wakea, the sky deity, and Ho’ohokukalani, the star deity, wanted to have a child, but her pregnancy tragically resulted in a stillborn child. They buried the child near their home and from him, grew the first taro plant. The plant was named Haloanaka (which means “long, trembling stalk”). The couple later had another child – a human boy – whom they named Haloa. Hawaiians believe their entire race descended from Haloa, and the story explains why they consider taro to be sacred, and why they give it such importance in their culture.
Try out this recipe for asthram, a dish from South India that uses taro in a unique way.
Have you eaten jicama or taro? Play today’s Word Search and let us know at games@gulfnews.com.
