Author Topic: Shakar alu (Pachyrhizus erosus?)  (Read 1294 times)

papergeek

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Shakar alu (Pachyrhizus erosus?)
« on: February 11, 2020, 08:05:54 PM »
There is a plant very similar to jicama but a little smaller, sweeter and more tender. In West Bengal it's called shankh alu (শাঁখ আলু) although I could swear I heard it called shakar alu (literally "potato of the spinach"). Basically it seems to be a cultivar of jicama or Pachyrhizus erosus.
I'm wondering if anyone has found any of the smaller and sweeter Asian varieties here in the US?
« Last Edit: February 12, 2020, 01:21:22 AM by papergeek »

pineislander

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Re: Shakar alu (Pachyrhizus erosus?)
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2020, 06:37:10 PM »
It looks like Jicama to me. They grow best roots in the fall/winter season in south Florida, seem to be daylength sensitive for tuberization. I lost track of some and they regrew the next year from a tuber then were still edible.
https://www.kitazawaseed.com/seeds_jicama_3.html