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.

Thanks Luscious. I'm going to Willoughby tomorrow if I don't get called into work(I'm a casual teacher). Can you give me the rough whereabouts of the Asian market on Penhurst Rd? I'll have to check out Justco too though Westfield Chatwood isn't too far away..... :)
Cheers
ozzie_girl

Anyone found these in Melbourne yet? I tried at the markets and at a local asian grocer - this was the conversation I had with the local asian grocer:

"Do you have Jicama"

"What's that"

"Er... Yam Bean?"

"No, don't know it"

"Um... Chinese potato??"

"Oh, sweet potato?"

"Uh, I don't think so...."

"Sweet potato is chinese potato"


----

So any clues would be helpful! lol

Hi Luscious n everyone,
Found the Asian market in Willoughby...soooo many varieties of tofu!! Amazing! Found the Shirataki....called Cooked Vegetable- Shirokon Shimonitabussan...ingredients; yam powder and calcium hydroxide. in a block in the frig. Now have to try it out!!! Has zero everything in it and 100gms is 21kj(or 5 calories).
Now to located the Jicami!!!
Cheers

not yet troubadour, i've a asian grocer near me in preston, i'll go ask them this weekend.

The Yam Bean was in the fruit and vege section of the asian supermarket near blockbuster on penshurst street (near the victoria ave turn off).

Ah Hah! Thanks Luscious..shall go there again next Monday!
Cheers

Thanks Lucious... I'll have to expand my understanding of Melbourne locations!

Troubadour,
Luscious is in Sydney! Sambalam is your Melbourne connection!!
Cheers
Ozzie-girl

Hi All,

Anyone found jicama in Melbourne yet?

not yet i'm sorry. my area is more greek/italian focused so getting asian foods is a challenge at the markets. i will keep looking and let you know.

thanks! And if I find it in the meantime I'll post it here...

Hey Luscious,
I went to that Asian market in Willoughby but the usual guy in charge wasn't there that day and none of the others knew what the hell I was talkin about!! :(

Cheers
Ozzie_girl

Well,it's been a while......I finally have identified the mysterious Jicama/Chinese potato as Yam Bean Tuber! ....and apparently it's out of season at the moment but they do get it in at the Willoughby supermarket.However I am told (and I have actually seen one!) that you can get them in China town in Chinese supermarkets!
Cheers
Ozzie_girl

Whoops! Forgot to post this myself - I also found Yam-Bean in Richmond. If you're coming down Church st, turn left when you hit Victoria and about 100 metres on the left is a vietnamese supermarket that carries them. Bloody expensive tho.

Yep,I believe it's around $10/kg here but have yet to actually "score"! :)...maybe today will be my lucky day!....then I'll have to get some recipes for the it!!!....lol...first things first!!!!