Tapioca after heavy pruning.

We did heavy pruning recently. All branches gone. Out of the many tapioca plants, we keep only 2 plants, the rest were pulled out. .... We managed to get quite a good harvest of  the roots (ubi kayu), enough for  afternoon snacks. If the roots  turn out to be fluffy, we call them "empuk".  That's awfully nice.., and has rural feel in it and definitely very nostalgic..... When roots are too matured, they become so hard and woody

But new shoots appeared within days.... With such zest, I wonder if plants ever get caught up with obesity.... hmmm...

~BANGCHIK AND KAKDAH

putrajaya, malaysia

Banana leaf wrapping the fish

It is not only for the fruits and flowers that we grew three banana plants. We had been using the leaves as wrappers on many occasions. I guess banana leaf is very natural and brings out the best of aroma! .. Kakdah did steam-grilled fish the other day .... A few photos here to share ....

daun pisang balut ikan

Fillings
grounded chillies with coconut gratings

wrap
aluminium foil cant replace banana leaf,
not if flavour and aroma are what we are looking for...

fillings
prepared in granite mortar
or lesung batu in Bahasa Malaysia

extras
tapioca shoots steamed or boiled as salad or ulam

Thats for lunch!
Kakdah giving the final touch,
before everyone swarm around the table!

I will show what we can do with other part of banana plants, for something useful and interesting, soon.....

Tapioca, roots and shoots.

We took home a few cuttings of tapioca, known here as ubi kayu. It took quite some time for the roots and the plants to spring into action in this unfamiliar soil. In the end they grew and grew, and of course we cut off the shoots from time to time for salad or ulam.... Tapioca shoots has to be boiled first!... Wait a while longer, roots become big, and full of starch ....

6 plants of the long leaved type and 4 plants with slightly broader leaves (ubi kuning to folks here). .......

Broad leaved tapioca

Broad leaved tapioca

long leaved tapioca
as ulam, this is the best.

long leaved tapioca