Yummy Yacon

(Page 3 of 4)

June/July 2006
By William Woys Weaver 
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A Tuberific Harvest

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Don’t expect to harvest an abundant crop of tubers the first year, because yacon needs time to adjust to local conditions. After that, yields are generally double to triple those of potatoes. As frost approaches in early fall, put some straw around the base of the plants to protect the tubers underneath. After frost has killed the visible part of the plants (but before the ground freezes), gently lift the crowns by loosening the soil around the tubers with a garden fork. Then carefully remove the entire root system from the ground. Snap the tubers off the crowns and let them sweeten by mellowing in the sun for a couple of weeks.

New plants will not grow from the tubers themselves; only the crowns will produce new plants. Store the crowns indoors in peat moss (like dahlias) or loose in tubs (like potatoes) until early spring. Then split apart the sections that have begun to form green buds, and plant each in its own pot.

A root cellar or cool, dry corner of your basement is perfect for storing yacon tubers until you’re ready to eat them. Because yacon stores so well, you can enjoy the fruits of your labors for up to eight months after the harvest.

South American Fruit Salad

South Americans enjoy a fruit salad called salpicón, which contains many tropical fruits that can be difficult to find in the United States. But this versatile Colombian recipe can be made from any combination of fruit. Below is a mix of ingredients found in most supermarkets. Use the fruits you have on hand or let your imagination run wild! Serves 8.

4 cups fresh pineapple; pared, cored and diced
5 cups fresh papaya; pared, seeded and diced
1 mango; pared, pitted and diced
4 cups yacon; pared and diced
4 small red bananas; skinned and sliced
2 cups fresh orange or lemon juice, or more to taste

Optional ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar or honey
1 cup mashed blackberries
1 cup crushed lemon water ice

Combine all the ingredients in a large glass bowl. Serve chilled.

Yacon Sources

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