Taro root is an interesting addition to your dinner menu.
This potato-looking vegetable is also known as Malanga or Dasheen. I first heard about it years ago when I got Terra Chips as a snack on a JetBlue flight. When I saw it again years later at Whole Foods, my curiosity got me throwing some into my cart.
I had no idea taro boasted such nutritional value. It can improve your digestion, lower your blood sugar, boost your vision, protect your skin, and make quite a few other health improvements as well.
Native to Southeast Asia and southern India, it is one of the first cultivated plants in human history! The leaves are toxic raw, but this root is awesome! It is packed with vitamins and minerals and a single serving contains 27% of your daily dietary fiber intake. It is virtually fat free, no cholesterol, and is only 117 calories a cup.
If you want to give it a try in fresh form, here's a simple way. Wash and peel the root, cut it into bite sized pieces, spray it with oil (or drizzle some over the top,) add kosher salt to taste and roast for 30-35 minutes at 400 degrees. The result is pretty similar to a roasted potato, but with a firmer consistency.