So can you identify this plant? Kochu? Taro? Yes, it is. But what type of taro? Well, this one is loti kochu (the type of taro that produces stolon or runner). This is really a magical plant because all of its parts are edible. Most importantly it is very easy to grow. These are 6 weeks old plants. I am expecting that within 2 months, those plants will start producing kochur loti (taro stolons) and these plants will show me the actual magic.
You know that if you grow brinjal plants then you will get brinjals. If you grow okra plants then you will get okra. If you grow yardlong beans plants then you will get yardlong beans. Right?
Now, what will be the magic? What magic is this taro plant gonna show me?
- The leaves of these plants are edible. So it is used to make delicious pakodas.
- Its leaf stalk & leaves are used to make Bengali style kochu shak. It is really a super delicious dish.
- This plant produces stolons or runners. Those taro stolons are edible and very popular in Bengal. It is known as kochur loti in West Bengal as well as Bangladesh. Kochur loti is used to make spicy stir-fried curry. Mustard seeds paste is used to make such tasty kochur loti curry.
- It does not end here. Its root is also edible and used to make various traditional dishes. Bharta & fried kochu is my favorite. But do you know that what we consider is as its root is actually its stem? Haha.
- These two plants will help me to get many other plants because within a few weeks many more plants will start growing within the pot.
So this plant will give me its leaves and leaf stalks, then it will give taro stolons for months. It does not end here because finally, I will harvest taro root which is also delicious. Okay, once these two plants will die by that time there will be a few more plants in the same pot. I job will be providing fertilizer in the pot. It will continuously provide me a lot of vegetables. Is it not magic?
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