satoimo

(JAPAN)

   taro potato, sticky, with a prickly outer skin.

   ♦ a small, round, potato like taro root ("country potato"). We see taro as elephant ears in southern gardens. Taro, roots and leaves are toxic when raw but are a major staple around the world and was a staple in Japan before rice took its place. The corms are roasted, baked or boiled and the natural sugars give a sweet nutty flavour. The starch is easily digestible and grains are fine and small and often used for baby food. The leaves are a good source of vitamins A and C and contain more protein than the corms.