Chinese Cooking

Daxin Liu daxin@pacbell.net
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:47:58 PDT
The common name for Houttuynia cordata in Chinese is Fish Smell Grass, and
even in China only people from the southern provinces such Guizhou and
Guangxi really appreciate its flavor. 

One tuber/corm that is ever available in Asian markets is Eleocharis dulcis,
or Chinese Water Chestnut. These are very easy to grow in a shallow pond.

Another water vegetable that is only available in the fall is Trapa
bicornis. What is sold is a menacing black seed about 1-2" across with two
horns. The plant itself grows wild in lakes in central and south China. Seed
collecting were traditionally done by young girls in small boats and the
whole experience has been romantized in traditional Chinese literature.

When I first came to the U.S. in 1990, I could not find celtuce. They
started to become available only four or five years ago. Also becoming
available is young flower stalks of garlic, which was one of my favorite
vegetables. 

Daxin Liu
Fragrant Hill Design
http://www.fragranthill.com/
 




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