Oca
Liz Waterman (Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:47:34 PST)

Oca seems to be a once a year crop sort of like potatoes and can be
harvested after the tops die down. They keep for 2 or more months in
the ground or as song as it takes them to sprout again. I've heard they
taste better if allowed to sit in the sun a few days before eating.
There doesn't seem to be much sun when they are harvested. You can
learn more by reading a section in "Lost Crops of the Incas" online.
Oca: http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php/…
It's a fun book to read.
CRFG(California Rare Fruit Growers) may have an information sheet. They
aren't in the market now but may show up next month.
Liz

James Waddick wrote:

Friends,
I was surprised that it wasn't pictured in the PBS wiki. I
guess the plants are less than ornamental.
From Google images, there seem to be a range of tuber colors
and shapes. Are these really all the same species?

Apparently a New Zealand cv called 'Red' or "Pink" Oca has
close to round tubers and a waxy shine to them. Seems to be a
dominant edible cv. Is this true.

Other forms are rounded ovals, pointed 'carrot' shapes and in
colors including yellow, orange and tan.

I wonder how much variety there is in the plants from these
different tubers.

Liz, is Oca a year round crop or more seasonal?

Thanks all. Jim W.