Yam Bean/Chinese Potato - Substitute vegetable for apple and potato
 

http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/newsle...4-no11-pg5.html

Read down to vegetable of the day. I bet this is available in most Asian Markets in Australia. Jicama - could be called Yam Bean, or Chinese Potato. I wonder how well it will roast (thinking Christmas dinner). At 5 grams a cup it seems pretty good carb value considering the nutrients it contains.

I'm off to China Town in Sydney today, so will experiment with some hash browns, roast potatoes.

Luscious :angel:

Luscious,how did the experiment with Yam bean/Chinese potato go ?.
Cheers
Ozzie_girl

We can't get jicama where I live, but I wish we could, because they are a good (crunchy) substitute for water chestnuts, which are a bit carby.

hard to find
 

haven't had time to go searching yet. Chinese lady that works for me says they are not common here. She wrote the chinese name down for me, so that may help.

Will keep you posted.

Cool. What's the chinese name for it..maybe I'll get a chance to drop into chinatown this week.
Cheers
ozzie_girl

Multibyte
 

Well, the chinese name is in double byte (Kungi) so it would be impossible for me to form the chinese characters for you, or even begin to tell you how it is pronounced. When i say she gave me the chinese name, it is in chinese :) She wrote it on a piece of paper for me.

Luscious :angel:

Okey doke. I'll leave it with you :). Perhaps when you get it ask for an English translation!!
Cheers
Ozzie_girl

Jicama
 

Hi Ozzigirl....

The English translation is Jicama - or sometimes called Chinese Potato.

Yam Bean - made into Noodle
 

Or, if you're in the mood for a noodle/pasta dish, you can get it made into noodles or blocks at an Oriental market, likely.

Usually called Shirataki (Japanese yam bean noodles)

In a pouch, packed in water, possibly in the refrigerated section.

0 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs - just about 0 everything
Actually, almost zero taste, except it absorbs/adapts to what you mix it with.

Another good potato/apple substitute which is readily available is choko (chayote in the US). They are the closest thing I've used so far. They do take a lot of cooking though. I've seen them at markets and Woolies.

ok.. I found some Yam Bean (chinese potato) at my local asian market (about 500m from my house believe it or not, after searching all over LOL)

I roasted some tonight, with lamb shanks and broccoli.

The verdict... a very nice potato substitute without the carbs. It has similar taste, similar texture at roast potato (but not so soft as overroasted gets). Its kind of crunchy like an apple.

VERY GOOD!!

I expect it would very easily work well as chips too. I am interested to try it mashed, expect it will work fine.

Luscious,
It sounds great!!! My family really misses potatoes and you can't eat mashed cauliflower every day!!! Does the Yam Bean look like potato? And where's local for you?

Have to find a local Asian market. There's a new one opening at Marrickville Metro but maybe there's one currently open closer to me in Leichhardt.

Great info re the Shirataki too, cmcole, we have to see if we can get that here in Australia as I see you're in Vancouver.
Cheers
Ozzie_girl

shirataki noodles are found in australia, you generally won't find them anywhere except for japanese shops. they are usually sold in pouches of water, sometimes in the fridge, sometimes not. they are the noodles used for sukiyaki. just let you know they smell fishy when being cooked (parboil for about 5 mins) but that goes when mixed with other foods. also, cut before boiling to make eating easier.

Thanks,sam. That is great info!! Really miss my noodles too so a noodle substitute is something I'm looking forward to!! I tried the zucchini pasta out of Fran McCullough's book but it comes out more like the clear,vermicelli and gets lost in the sauce!! I will head for the nearest Japanese hop asap!!
Cheers

I am at Chatswood.

The yam bean was in asian supermarket on penshurst street, Willoughby.

The shiratake noodles are available at Justco, in Westfield, chatswood. This might be a chain, so check that.