Mid-Autumn Festival is around the corner, 25 September for the year of 2007. Besides different variety of moon cakes, lanterns, what else do we have? Yes, Water Caltrop aka Trapa Natans ! You can spot them at the wet market and it is the only time you can find them here. Read up Wikipedia for more info on water caltrop, which look like the horn of the bull. The most common method to cook water caltrop is by boiling it. To eat it you need a pier for removing the hard shell by working on the both ‘horn’ first, follow by the bottom. Warning: Never never use your teeth! Mini yam is also one of those items that I have during Mid-Autumn festival during my childhood. Steam and peel off the skin and into the mouth. Dip with some sugar, if prefer. If you happen to see these at the market, buy some and have a try. Water Caltrop S$0.30~S$0.35 per 100g.
Preparation: 5 mins, Cooking time: 30 mins
Ingredients (serve 2-4)
° 20 water caltrops
° 8 mini yams
° water
Method
1. Place the water caltrops with enough water to cover them fully in a pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
2. Place the mini yam in a heat proof serving bowl and steam for 15-20 minutes or until soften.
3. Serve warm.
6 comments:
I've never heard of caltrops---intriguing.
Hi Urban Vegan
We don't see this often too. Only during Mid-autumn Festival and limited quantity at the wet market here in S'pore. Not many here know this too. :)
Have a beautiful weekend.
i def hv seen this....but nvr know how cook?? cos nvr seen my mother prepare it....it looks like 'bull honk'...;p SF
Hi SF
You seen it before :)
I just bought these in Chinatown NYC!!! They are the craziest looking things ever. Thanks for the guidance on the boiling time, I look forward to snacking on them!
WOW, you got them from Chinatown NYC :)
I have some too, the festival has long passed (3 Oct), and it is still in my refrigerator... your comment remind me to cook them :)
Cheers :)
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