BOTANICAL NAME: Manihot esculenta
COMMON NAMES: Cassava, manioc, tapioca
FAMILY: Euphorbiaceae
ORIGIN: Central and South America
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A large, 3-4 m high, tropical woody shrub with enlarged tuberous roots. It tends to branch irregularly and bears its large (20 cm long) lobed leaves near the tips of long branches. The leaves are short-lived (1-3 months) and are readily lost during drought or after insect attack. Cassava is very hardy and tolerant of a wide range of soils.
USES
Leaves for consumption can be produced throughout the year if the plants receive sufficient water. The portion eaten is generally the maturing leaves that are just reaching full size. Cassava leaves are NOT EATEN RAW, as they contain harmful glucosides which release deadly hydrocyanic acid. To dispel the poison the leaves must be boiled at least 15 minutes. Cassava leaves contain protein, iron and B vitamins. They are boiled like spinach or added to stews. There are so many useful and easy to grow tropical greens that cassava leaves are not a 'first choice' option. Sweet potato leaves, pumpkin tips, kangkong, ceylon spinach are better alternatives and are easy to eat and prepare.
The roots are more useful as a food plant, they are harvested when the leaves begin to yellow and fall. They are eaten boiled, fried, baked and made into flour. The refined starch from the tubers, known as tapioca pearls, is used in soups, puddings and dumplings. The roots store well.
PLANTING DETAILS
Recommended Planting Time: All year in the tropics, during the warmer months in the subtropics.
Growing Details: Woody cuttings are planted upright in the soil with the sloping end up. Cutting the tops of the cuttings at an angle stops water sitting there and reduces problems with rot. The best cutting material is obtained from plants at least 10 months old, 2.5 to 4 cm thick and about 20 - 30 cm long, with a minimum of 3-6 buds per cutting. The cuttings are buried to half their length, aiming to have several buds under the soil. The cuttings root readily and establish plants within 2 months. Place plants 80 to 140 cm apart.
RECIPES
Tapioca Pudding
- 1 large cassava root syn tapioca (about 400g)
- 3 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 eggs
- milk of one coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
- 10g butter
Finely grate the tapioca and add the beaten eggs, sugar, coconut milk and vanilla. Mix thoroughly and place in a baking dish which has been greased with a little butter. Bake at 150°C for about 30 minutes.
Ubai
- cassava root syn tapioca (500g tuber makes 2 ubai)
- coconut (or other filling)
- salt
- banana leaves (for cooking)
Fillings:
- boiled greens
- cooked meat or fish
- mashed banana
- grated pineapple
Finely grate tapioca tubers. Place the grated tapioca thinly on rectangles of banana leaf about 20 cm long, sprinkle with salt. On top of this, down the centre, place grated coconut or other filling; then roll the banana leaf and secure the ends, so that the tapioca encloses the coconut or other filling like a filled pancake. Tie the bundle with strips taken from the centre of the banana leaf, and place over hot ashes for about 20 minutes, turning to ensure even heating. When cooked, remove the charred banana leaf. The tapioca with its high starch content, will have blended together enclosing the filling, and you will have somethingwhich looks like a spring roll and tastes excellent.
