How To Cook Taro Root

Taro root works in both savory and sweet dishes, though it's best in main dishes.

Image Credit: panida wijitpanya/iStock/GettyImages Taro root is present in many South East Asian and Indian dishes. High in starchy carbohydrates, taro roots look similar to small, brown knobbly potatoes. The root works in both savory and sweet dishes, though it’s best in main dishes.

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 According to The Cannery Seafood House Cookbook, taro root is toxic if not cooked properly. With its potato-like texture, taro root suits cooking styles such as deep frying in oil, boiling in water and roasting.

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Things You'll Need

Peeler Pot Salt Pepper Deep fryer Vegetable oil Tomato sauce How to Boil Taro Root

Scrub the taro roots clean under running water. Peel each root using a vegetable peeler. Cut into quarters or 2-inch chunks. Fill a medium-size cooking pan with water, adding a sprinkle of salt. Boil the water on the stove. Place all the taro root pieces into the water. Boil the taro root for approximately 15 minutes. Stick a fork into the root to check the softness. If soft, drain the taro roots in a colander over the sink. Drop a piece of butter on the mound of taro roots and serve while steaming hot.

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 Tip Taro roots also mash well with a little butter and seasoning.

How to Deep-Fry Taro Root

Peel several large taro roots. Chop the taro roots into french fry-style shapes about 2 inches long and a half-inch thick. Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large, heavy pan until very hot. Put the chopped taro roots into the oil. You should hear a bubbling sizzle. Cook for 4 minutes, then remove using a slotted metal spoon. Rest the taro fries on a kitchen towel layered on a plate. Allow the kitchen towel to soak up some of the excess oil. Allow to cool for 30 minutes or more. Heat up the oil again just before you want to reheat the fries. Put the taro root fries into the hot fryer oil and allow to cook for a minute. Remove and serve hot with tomato sauce or other rich sauces.

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 Warning Avoid eating raw or undercooked — this could result in an upset stomach.

Never deep fry in a shallow pan to avoid fires. And wear an apron and gloves when handling the deep fryer.

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  references
  
      Frédéric Couton: "The Cannery Seafood House Cookbook"
    
      Ann Le, Julie Fay: "The Little Saigon Cookbook: Vietnamese Cuisine and Culture in Southern California"
       




  references
  
      Frédéric Couton: "The Cannery Seafood House Cookbook"
    
      Ann Le, Julie Fay: "The Little Saigon Cookbook: Vietnamese Cuisine and Culture in Southern California"
    




Taro root works in both savory and sweet dishes, though it's best in main dishes.

Image Credit: panida wijitpanya/iStock/GettyImages

Peeler
Pot
Salt
Pepper
Deep fryer
Vegetable oil
Tomato sauce

Taro roots also mash well with a little butter and seasoning.

Avoid eating raw or undercooked — this could result in an upset stomach. Never deep fry in a shallow pan to avoid fires. And wear an apron and gloves when handling the deep fryer.

Never deep fry in a shallow pan to avoid fires. And wear an apron and gloves when handling the deep fryer.

      Frédéric Couton: "The Cannery Seafood House Cookbook"
    
      Ann Le, Julie Fay: "The Little Saigon Cookbook: Vietnamese Cuisine and Culture in Southern California"