Around the world, almost 10% folks relish a wide assortment of Colocasia as a staple food. The leaves of this plant are quite popular while Colacasia stems are enjoyed by a very limited group of people. So please go ahead and relish this low carb, highly nutritious delicacy. This vegan Colacasia Stem Saute is a gluten-free recipe. It is a delicious Keto Indian curry benefiting the body tremendously for being highly fibrous and packed with nutrition.
Colocasia: How to Recognize it by Form and Name?
Colocasia plants also known as Elephant-ear plants because of their large leaves shaped like those of elephant’s ears. Unlike Alocasia, Colocasia leaves droop downwards.
Colocasia is called by a host of names in different Indian languages such as Taro, Arvi (Hindi name); Kachu (Bengali); Aaloo (Marathi); Sempu (Tamil); Chempu (Malayalam); Kesavedantu (Kannada); Pan (Manipuri) etc.
Colocasia Stem: Health Benefits
The Colocasia stems are young leaf stalks/petioles. They are also packed with calcium, Beta carotene, iron, Vitamin C and Vitamin A.
Colocasia stems have immense medicinal properties. They can help control blood pressure levels, safeguard skin, maintain diabetes, enhance blood circulation, improve digestion, prevent cancer, increase immunity, and also aid in building strong nerves & muscles.
Colocasia stem’s high dietary fiber content strengthens the digestive system improving gastrointestinal health. Thus, all kinds of digestive or gastrointestinal problems such as stomach cramps, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, and constipation can be cured by incorporating Colacasia stem Sauté and similar recipes in the daily diet. It is a befitting low carb vegetarian diet ingredient.
Why It’s Best to Cook At Home
Colocasia stems are stringy by nature. The innumerable health benefits and healing properties of the stems can only be retained when cooked fresh with natural ingredients. Canned/packaged products in the market won’t provide the body with natural goodness.
There are very few restaurants which prepare and serve Colacasia stem sauté. Additionally, it is best not to have them in the restaurant as the stems need to be cooked properly otherwise they may cause irritation. Colocasia stems contain calcium oxalate which can lead the mouth and throat to itch and swell if not cooked well. Ideally, the hard exterior is peeled and removed. Only the soft stalk inside the tough outer layer is used in cooking light Indian dinner/lunch recipes.
Various Ways of Cooking Colocasia Stems
Colocasia stem sauté is just one simple vegetarian low carb Indian food that is mostly enjoyed with steamed rice. Its okra-like viscous texture is savored in India, various Southeast Asian places like Vietnam and also in Japan. Vietnam and Japan prefer to use fresh Colacasia stem in soups.
In India, the Colocasia stems are cooked in diverse ways:-
- There are stew recipes prepared with various vegetables
- Some prepare it as vegetarian curry with garlic, chilies and other spices
- Many Indian states prepare Dal (lentil soup) with the stems.
- There are also non-vegetarian recipe versions with prawns.
The fresh Colacasia stem sauté is a delectable dish. This recipe is a quick and refreshing addition to keto Indian food and Paleo Diet.
- 2 cups - Colocasia stem
- 2 tbsp - healthy oil as coconut oil
- 1 small onion
- ½ tsp - pure turmeric powder
- ¼th tsp - black mustard seeds
- ¼th tsp - cumin
- ¼th tsp - cumin
- 5-8 green or red chilies depending on the variety
- ½ tsp - ginger garlic paste
- 5 curry leaves
- cilantro
- 1½ tbsp - Freshly grated coconut
- Healthy salt as Himalayan or sea salt.
- Depending on how aged stems are, stems might have fibery skin. Peel colocasia stems if you see thick skin.
- Then cut stems into small pieces.
- Dice onion. Slit green chilies.
- Add coconut oil to a pot. Heat to medium.
- If using red chilies, add to oil. Cook for 40 seconds.
- Add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add cumin. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Add green chilies (if using) and onion. Cook for 4-5 mins till onion is translucent.
- Add ginger garlic paste and curry leaves. Stir.
- Add colocasia stem. Stir. Close lid.
- Stir every 3-4 mins till stems are cooked.
- Add coconut and cilantro. Turn off the stove.
- Serve with rice, brown rice, quinoa or roti.
Hi! Thanks for posting a recipe for this vegetable, I am planning to try it out. When you refer to ‘cumin,’ is this ground cumin or cumin seeds?
Cumin seeds whole
Hi there, I was keen to try elephant ear stem in cooking so found your recipe, unfortunately after even tasting just one piece of well cooked stem, my throat became very irritated, it was very tasty dish but even after picking out the pieces was still irritating ( I added zuccini & mushrooms) so had to throw it out. What could have been the problem?
I m not a doctor. so i dont know. Consult you doctor.
Hi, I would love to try your recipe. However where do I buy COLOCASIA STEM?
Colocasia stem is delicacy. it is used in asian cooking a lot. In my city in Florida, USA, I find it in farmers market run by asians. Many asians come to market so they sells what asians are looking for.