So what is this?

Post by **BBLUX** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:28 pm

Found this in our veg shop today.

Not seen them before. They are swede sized. Veg man says to cook it like batatas so it must be like a potato. Question is, what is it. We have chopped it and bunged it into a tagine so we will know what it tastes like in a couple of hours.

Post by **Goddess** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:33 pm

I hate that thing!!!

It's arabic name is 'Ol Aas' terrible spelling I know! Just can't figure out how to write it - and you lot might say it differently down there because it has one of those 'K's that you lot pronounce as 'G's.

It's really called Colocassia and sometimes as Taro and up here they cut it into square lumps, boil the living daylights out of it and then add some herbs and oil to serve. It's one of my least favourite things here - so my sisters in law serve it up often! Nasty thing!!! It might not be too bad if you hid it in a stew though - so awaiting the report!

Post by **redsaffy** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:45 pm

Don't you get them pickled as well?

Post by **Goddess** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:47 pm

I've never seen it pickled. On saying that though - it wouldn't surprise me as they seem to pickle most things!

Post by **BBLUX** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:52 pm

Oh well! we had to try it. We can always fish it out and throw it at the unsuspecting tourists riding by on camels from behind the wall

Also got some baby beetroot today so they will be cooked tomorrow.

Post by **redsaffy** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:37 pm

Or may be you should run along beside them and try and sell to the pretty lady!!!!!
:ff:

Post by **Lisak** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:01 pm

It doesn't look very nice.
Let us know how it tastes.

Post by **BBLUX** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:10 pm

Well now, our tagine was very tasty, as was the "Ol Ass" It didn't tast like one than goodness

It was very similar in texture and flavour to the potato which we had put in...just very white

Even Fran liked it and she hates root veg

Post by **Goddess** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:15 pm

Obviously that's the way to go BB - hide the sucker in a tagine!!! God only knows what my sister in law does to it!?!? It goes a rose pink colour and just tastes nasty!

Post by **BBLUX** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:28 pm

This did have a pinky blush around the outside but it was gone by the time we had cooked it for 2 hours!

What does your SIL cook it in for goodness sake?

Post by **Goddess** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:33 pm

I dread to think!!!! She probably cooks it that way just to get a rise out of me! People who know me well, love to needle me into blowing my top - because it's free entertainment for them all!!! She's probably waiting for me to crack regarding the Ol'aas - but I ain't giving any ground on that one yet!!
I would ask her - but then she'll probably show me and I'll have to eat more of the stuff!

Post by **TONY** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:38 pm

I used it as you would a Swedish Turnip in a beef stew. It wasnt to bad and gave another bit of bulk.

Tony
Karnak

Post by **FABlux** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 8:38 am

Have to say in a tagine it really didn't taste different to the potato, apart from a slightly different texture. Just as well really, as Barry says I hate most root veg, I eat carrots & that's about it. Can't bear swedes, turnips or parsnips so I cut it into wedges instead of the cubes I had done the potatoes in just so that I could identify it & fish it out easily if it tasted horrid

Post by **Angela** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:11 am

BBLUX wrote: Also got some baby beetroot today so they will be cooked tomorrow.

Where did you get beetroot from? I just LOVE beetroot, I eat it all the time in the UK.

Post by **FABlux** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:19 am

Greengrocer on the West Bank, left hand side of the street as you walk up from the ferry, big box of them yesterday, large & small ones. Another root veg I don't eat but BB loves

Post by **redsaffy** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:38 am

Goddess,

She's probably waiting for me to crack regarding the Ol'aas - but I ain't giving any ground on that one yet!!
I would ask her - but then she'll probably show me and I'll have to eat more of the stuff!

My family was like that I refused to ask them how to do any thing and spent hours working it out my self goodness knows how may bags of rice I got through in the beginning!!!!!;)

Post by **Goddess** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:10 pm

Rice was literally my biggest 'sticking point' - I've got the theory down pat - but it always seems to go somewhat awry with the practical!

So I just gave up - and let someone else do it - or cook basmati instead!

Post by **redsaffy** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:28 pm

I was like that in the beginning but one day is was like urika!!!

:):lol:

Post by **FABlux** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 4:53 pm

nafisa2006 wrote: Where did you get beetroot from? I just LOVE beetroot, I eat it all the time in the UK.

Went to the East Bank today & incorporated a beetroot hunt. Right into Medina St from TV Street, first turning on the right, shop just down there on the left. Lots of beetroot

Huh the lengths I go to for you

I was actually looking in vain for mushrooms but did keep an eye out for beetroot as well. Didn't see them in any of the other shops though. Hope you get some Nafisa

Post by **Angela** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 4:56 pm

Hooray!! Will send hubby out tonight to get some Beetroot!