In Kerala there is a season of yams. In olden days, during the monsoons, people used to eat karkkidaka puzhukku, a concoction made of several types of yams. Yams are roots/tubers and I avoided them when I was a child because they looked most unappetizing. However yams gained glamor in my eyes when I read "Gone with the Wind" and fell for Rhett Butler. In the beginning chapter of the book, Scarlett is eating yam to fill her stomach so that at the party that she is attending that evening, she would not have to cater to her appetite which would be truly indelicate. (I wonder who ate up all the delicacies? Men and Matrons to be sure!)
Now to my amazement I find that the Yam is considered a valuable food item because of its fiber- I read about a wonder fiber Glucomannan and the Konjac tuber which is the source of Glucomannan. I was amazed to find that this Konjac is nothing but the common Chena-Elephant foot yam. This wonder fibre is said to have positive effects on reducing cholesterol, blood glucose levels and improving insulin resistance syndrome. Moreover it is a known source of natural estrogen and good for post menopausal women.
So let us have more Chena Puzhuku, Chena ularthiyathu, Chena Erissery and Chena patties.
Move aside potato
