Tropical almond. The fruit looks similar to the almond and is usually pale green, though it may be reddish-purple. There is a fibrous seed containing a pointed kernel, or nut. It can be eaten fresh and raw, or cooked. It is sometimes difficult to remove the fibrous seed without damaging the nut. There is a thin covering of skin on the nut, and it is worth removing it as it can be very astringent. It is much prized in the Moghul cooking of northern India, they are eaten fresh or used in badam barfi, fudge-like sweets, or used to thicken sauces in dishes such as korma. They are grown in Kashmir and Afghanistan as they do not grow well in tropical regions. Elsewhere, cashew and other nuts are substituted.
Queensland arrowroot. An edible starch from a canna closely related to canna lilies. This was a pre-Conquest Inca food plant and may be found in Peru and Ecuador and has spread to be used in India and as far as Australia. It is a versatile plant of which the green shoots may be eaten as a vegetable, the rhizome, which is large, round and red, can be eaten raw. It is also described as a fleshy underground stem. It may also be prepared in the same way as a potato or used in the same ways as flour. It is a great source of easily digested carbohydrate. This ideal plant is easy to grow and to harvest. The tubers are hardy and multiply readily in good soil.
Asiatic pennywort, the leaf of which is used as the base for a drink or eaten in salads and cold dishes,
Water amaranth or sessile joyweed. A type of amaranth which grows vigorously, providing nutritious greens. Use only tender new shoots as old leaves can leave a bitter taste in the mouth.
Water amaranth or sessile joyweed. A type of amaranth which grows vigorously, providing nutritious greens. Use only tender new shoots as old leaves can leave a bitter taste in the mouth.
