Air Potatoes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Air potatoes are rugged, bulbous vegetables that grow on vines. They vary in size, some as small as an egg while others require both hands to hold. Air potatoes average in length between 12 to 15 centimeters but some may be smaller. They have an oblong to irregularly shaped body that resembles the form of a rock. This vegetable can weigh anywhere from 50 to 300 grams. They have rough, light brown skin that’s spotted with warts and speckled with paler brown dots across their body. Air potatoes have golden yellow flesh with a firm, starchy, and slightly sticky texture. The scent of this vegetable is reminiscent of bamboo shoots while the flavor is mild, earthy, and sometimes bitter. When cooked, Air potatoes lose some of their sticky texture and become more
Seasons/Availability
Air potatoes are available in the fall.
Current Facts
Air potatoes are botanically classified at Dioscorea bulbifera and belong to the Dioscoreaceae, which means that they are a yam rather than a potato. Their name comes from the fact that they are shaped like a meteorite or UFO. Other names for this vegetable include Aerial yam, Potato yam, Bitter yam, Varahi, Kasyuimo, and Soraimo. They grow on herbaceous twining vines, meaning that they use other vegetation to cling to and support their weight. These vines have heart-shaped, emerald green leaves that appear in an alternating pattern on their stems. They spread quickly over natural vegetation and can grow over twenty centimeters per day. The potatoes grow above ground, hanging from the vine, and below ground, buried in the soil. Due to their prolific growth habits, Air potatoes are valued as a food source in Asia but are often considered an invasive species in Florida and Tennessee because of their aggressive nature.
Nutritional Value
Air potatoes contain flavonoids and polyphenols, helping protect the body from inflammation and oxidative stress. They are high in potassium, supporting regular blood pressure, fluid balance, muscle function, bone health, and energy metabolism. The vegetable's fiber and protein content encourages digestion, blood sugar control, beneficial gut bacteria, hormone production, and heart and muscle health. Air potatoes are also a source of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, nutrients that aid in blood clotting, oxygen transportation, brain function, cell growth, bone density, wound healing, and nerve, teeth, and reproductive health. The saponins within these vegetables have been used as a remedy for fungal and yeast infections, diarrhea, and dysentery. Excessive amounts of this nutrient may cause bloating or vomiting. When converted into a powder, Air potatoes can be taken orally to alleviate abdominal pain, sore throats, ulcers, cuts, boils, and open wounds.
Applications
Air potatoes are best suited for cooked applications such as frying, sautéing, and roasting and should be treated and prepared like a yam. They have a bitter flavor and slimy texture when raw, which can be reduced by boiling. Some wild, non-domesticated varieties of the Air potatoes, like those found in Florida, cannot be eaten due to their toxic nature. Caution and research should be taken prior to consumption. Cultivated Air potatoes from Asia are popular for making okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style pancake. They can also be added to miso soups, curry, tempura, and nimono, a Japanese simmered dish. Air potatoes will keep for a couple of weeks when loosely wrapped and stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Air potatoes have been a vital part of Indian culture and traditional practices for centuries. They are found in the warm regions of the Western Ghats, Koraput, and at high elevations of the Himalayas where they served as an important source of food for many tribal communities. In the city-states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, Air potatoes are a staple in the diet of local populations. These tubers are not only consumed for their nutritional value but also for their medicinal properties, used in various Indian medical systems such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Siddha, Unani, and Folk Medicine. In Asia, Air potatoes are traditionally used to treat conditions like diarrhea, sore throats, jaundice, and inflammation.
Geography/History
Air potatoes are native to sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, having been grown there since ancient times. They flourish in warm, temperate, and tropical climates but are vulnerable to cold and unable to grow below 0 degrees Celcius. Air potatoes began spreading worldwide when they were brought to the United States from Africa through the Triangular Trade system. They were introduced into the state of Alabama in the late 1700s and eventually brought to Florida in the early 1900s. Air potato plants have become an invasive species in some parts of the American South, smothering native plant communities throughout Florida. Despite their invasive nature, these plants are also found in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the West Indies, Asia, the Pacific Islands, Northern Australia, Central and South America, and Africa. They grow wild in some areas of India, but in other regions, they are not commonly sold in larger grocery stores. Instead, Air potatoes may be found at roadside stands, farmers' markets, and grown in gardens.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Air Potatoes. One
is easiest, three is harder.| The Survival Gardener |
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Air Potato Homefries |
