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As summer time ends and fall begins to settle in, a scrumptious aroma may be discovered drifting within the air. Candy with a chestnut-like flavour, Japanese candy potatoes (satsuma-imo) are harvested at the moment of the 12 months. As a staple of autumn, it’s not solely a reminder of the altering seasons, however also can deliver a couple of sense of nostalgia for many individuals.
So what makes Japanese candy potatoes standout from candy potatoes present in different international locations? Effectively, satsuma-imo (or kara-imo as it’s referred to as in Kyushu) is far starchier, drier and firmer in texture. The inside of an raw satsuma-imo may be yellow, white or purple relying on the number of satsuma-imo, while the pores and skin is normally purple or purple with tapered ends.
Picture Credit score: Mareck Piwnicki on Unsplash.
Candy potatoes had been delivered to Okinawa from China roughly 1600 years in the past. In 1705, a sailor from Kagoshima introduced again candy potatoes from Okinawa to Kagoshima. Because of the wealthy volcanic soil and ultimate local weather, candy potatoes rapidly unfold all through Japan. Presently, Kagoshima holds its stance as the most important producer of candy potatoes in Japan and is famend as ‘The Land of Candy Potatoes’.
Sorts of Candy Potatoes
Japan has many types of candy potatoes! Developments in breeding strategies haven’t solely improved crop yields, however have additionally elevated the variety of varieties accessible. Let’s record just a few common varieties:
Murasaki-imo
The colourful purple inside of the murasaki-imo is because of a naturally occurring chemical compound referred to as anthocyanin. Since murasaki-imo will not be very candy, it’s normally utilized in manufactured and packaged merchandise. In 2002, a variation of murasaki-imo referred to as the ‘Purple Candy Highway’ was nationally registered. This variation is extra appropriate for cooking and was created by crossbreeding a purple candy potato from Kyushu with a number of different candy potato varieties together with kintoki.
Naruto Kintoki-imo
Naruto kintoki-imo is produced within the Tokushima Prefecture, particularly Naruto Metropolis. With its delicate local weather, little rainfall, and sandy soil wealthy in ocean minerals, this area is good for candy potato cultivation. Naruto kintoki-imo has a excessive sugar focus and a golden inside which turns into comfortable and fluffy when cooked.
Anno-imo
Anno-imo is cultivated in Tanegashima, an island in Kagoshima Prefecture. It’s candy in flavour as a result of its excessive sugar content material. When cooked, the pale orange inside turns vibrant yellow.
Meals and Snacks
There are lots of methods to arrange and revel in candy potatoes. At the beginning, the candy potatoes have to be soaked in water to take away the starch. After soaking, they are often roasted, baked, simmered, boiled or deep fried. Candy potatoes are a flexible meals that can be utilized in each candy or savoury dishes. Now let’s dive in and take a look at just a few common candy potato dishes!
Yakiimo (Roasted Candy Potato)
You possibly can typically discover meals vans all through Japan promoting this common, mouth-watering snack. Yakiimo is ready by first washing the candy potatoes to take away the filth, then roasting them within the stone oven in the back of the truck. This scrumptious deal with is good and creamy and doesn’t want any added salt, seasonings or butter (I imply it!).
Picture credit score: @italiansinjapan on Instagram
The feel is velvety, which compliments the robust flavour. This snack is a favorite in the course of the colder months and may be eaten with the pores and skin. Should you’re in Tokyo, you may wish to take a look at the Shinagawa Yakiimo Terrace held yearly from the top of January to the start of February. This candy potato pageant permits companies to exhibit new snacks for the upcoming autumn and winter seasons.
Double Baked Candy Potato
In comparison with the savoury yakiimo, this baked candy potato is a scrumptious dessert! The satsuma-imo is first washed after which baked within the oven to melt the inside. The flesh is then eliminated and pureed, then mixed with eggs, sugar, butter, heavy cream or milk and a splash of vanilla essence for added flavour. The combination is then refilled into the candy potato pores and skin. Then, it is able to be baked as soon as extra!
Picture Credit score: Namiko Chen from Justonecookbook
Daigaku-imo (Candied Candy Potatoes)
Within the 1900’s, this was a preferred snack amongst college college students in Tokyo and might nonetheless be discovered at many stalls and faculty festivals at this time! The candy potatoes are washed and minimize into bite-sized items earlier than being deep fried. A sweet syrup, manufactured from rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and water, is used to totally coat the candy potatoes. Then, they’re garnished with black sesame seeds. This candy dish has a pleasant crunch from the candy potato pores and skin, in addition to a easy, buttery texture from the candy potato flesh.
Picture Credit score: Shihoko from Chopstick Chronicles.
Kuri Kinton
This dish is a well-liked osechi-ryori (Japanese New 12 months’s meal), and is a logo of prosperity and good luck for the upcoming 12 months. Simmered with gardenia pods for a vibrant yellow coloration, the candy potatoes are then mashed or pureed, earlier than being mixed with sugar, salt, mirin and candied chestnut syrup. Lastly, candied chestnuts are added as a garnish. Though this dish is thought to be savoury, it’s really candy!
Picture Credit score: Shihoko from Chopstick Chronicles
Candy potatoes may be added in a wide range of dishes and snacks, from conventional Japanese confectionery to miso soups, desserts and parfaits. The probabilities are countless, as are the locations the place you will get these tasty treats! Comfort shops, cafes, eating places and meals vans are just some of the locations the place you may do this seasonal meals. If you wish to take pleasure in scrumptious candy potatoes in a wide range of other ways, Japan is assured to be one of the best place to go to!
Picture credit score: @italiansinjapan on Instagram
There are extra yummy fall flavors to discover on this weblog put up about Japanese Autumn tasty meals.
Be part of a tour in Tokyo and revel in scrumptious dishes to make the Tastiest reminiscences!
That includes photograph credit:@italiansinjapan on Instagram
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