Mmmmm Yummy

[British Red]

The quest for self sufficiency produces some delicious looking things huh?

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

looks like balsamic vinegar with a manky flapjack float

Cant wait to here what it is, your adventures are always interesting

 

[Bushwhacker]

Looks like something fermenting.

 

[British Red]

Its horrible looking stuff huh? Just a part of processing raw material rather than a recipe though

This one I think only one member of this forum can guess

 

[bilmo-p5]

Peruvian ground apple pulp?

 

[British Red]

Okay thats beyond impressive!

 

[bilmo-p5]

Okay thats beyond impressive!

It would have been if I hadn't cheated.

 

[British Red]

It would have been if I hadn't cheated.

Very honest!

Amazing stuff though - fascinating plant too. I'll do a write up at some point.

 

[bilmo-p5]

... I'll do a write up at some point.

I'll look forward to it.

 

[British Red]

£40 a litre for Yacon syrup!

Mind you, sweetness without calories, a syrup that causes weight loss.....not surprised!

 

[bilmo-p5]

Wonder what it's like as a sweetener in say, coffee. Like a stronger brown sugar perhaps?

Are you thinking of it as a supplement (or substitute) to the beet sugar?

 

[British Red]

Just an interesting plant really Ian. We set goals each year to extend our self sufficiency - this year was sugars - we took a three pronged approach, honey,sugar beet and Yacon. We didn't know which would work out best for us so took a "try several and see what works" approach. We are happy with the bees and sugar beet - but Yacon is high yield and can be eaten raw (leaves and tubers), so its a flexible thing. We'll know in a few hours how it works out - its thickening as we speak!

Red

 

[Elen Sentier]

Total Off Topic ... I want the stove! What's your stove?

 

[British Red]

Its an Esse Ironheart mate - great stove - keeps you warm three times (cutting the wood, splitting the wood and burning the wood ).

I was thinking of combining the Yacon write up with a bit of "how to cook on a wood stove" tutorial if there is interest

 

[Gray]

That looks like molten lead around the edge, are you sure thats edible by the way, love your stove

 

[bilmo-p5]

Go for it, BR. I'm interested in the yacon plant and process, but don't have a woodstove yet.

 

[slowworm]

This one I think only one member of this forum can guess

If you're still alive after trying it I might have a go.

Our plants are still growing as we've yet to have much of a frost, but there should be plenty of tubers to have a go at some syrup this year. I'd be interested to hear what you think it tastes like, is it still dark green?

 

[British Red]

More brown now mate - starting to sweeten to the taste - but quite unrefined tasting...treacle / molasses in flavour.

Thanks so much for the starts - I'm glas you spotted the thread - I wanted you to know we didn't waste your kindness!

This was the frost burn on ours


Yacon supports removed by British Red, on Flickr

Got some decent tubers


Yacon Tuber by British Red, on Flickr


Thought it time to "get them in" - bit of a guess mind you - my Oca is still going great guns

 

[slowworm]

Thought it time to "get them in" - bit of a guess mind you - my Oca is still going great guns

Yep, that looks like just the right time to harvest, a harsh frost can harm the tubers. Very good sized plants and tubers from such small sad looking lumps I sent. They do seem to respond well to some good soil.

Don't forget to safely store the small growing tubers near the base of the plants for next year, they'll probably do even better, if you fancy growing them again.

Have you tried cooking them, they tend to stay crunchy for ages.

 

[British Red]

Ate a load raw but haven't cooked any

Growing tubers all safely harvested and potted up


Yacon Start by British Red, on Flickr


Yacon plant by British Red, on Flickr

Covered in a few inches of compost and put into an unheated greenhouse - thats what I did with the ones you sent me and in seemed to work okay