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Chirino me Kolokassi (Pork Stew with Taro)

Chirino me Kolokassi (Pork Stew with Taro)

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Kolokassi, from its ancient name “colocasia esculenta”, known as taro, is a root vegetable prepared the same way as potato.  

Chirino me Kolokassi, is a recipe from the Cypriot cuisine, which is stewed pork with taro.

Kolokassi me chirino image

Kolokassi is a root vegetable also known as wild taro, dasheen, elephant ears or Colocasia esculenta, usually cooked with meat and goes well with pork but also chicken and beef.

Apart from Cyprus, this root can also be found in Greece but only on the island of Ikaria, in Egypt but also in Hawaii and Tahiti and in other parts of the world.

This root is available from October to January and it can be stored for a long time. I stored it in the refrigerator for two weeks and it was in perfect condition.

HOW TO PEEL KOLOKASSI (TARO)

Taro is most commonly prepared the same way as potato but it is not washed.  

Therefore, in order not to soil the taro, use kitchen paper to hold it and wipe off any dirt.

Peel the skin thickly by starting at the top of the root, removing a stripe each time.

HOW TO CUT KOLOKASSI

Hold the kolokassi in one hand and with a sharp knife remove the top part. Then make a cut on it and with the help of your thumb, press on the knife and by turning your wrist and pressing towards the bulb you “crack” a small piece off. 

You don’t slice it, as otherwise a mucilaginous, sticky juice, will be released and the kolokassi will melt while cooking.

Use the taro as called for in a recipe, or you can complete cooking it much like you would a potato — roasted, boiled or baked.

Kolokassi (taro) bulbs image

How to Peel Kolokassi (Taro)

Yield: 2 roots
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: medium
Estimated Cost: 3 - 5 Euros

Kolokassi (colocasia esculenta) or taro is a bulb, which needs special attention when peeling and cutting.

Materials

  • Taro root

Tools

  • Latex or rubber gloves (optional)
  • Kitchen paper
  • Cutting board
  • Kitchen paring knife
  • Chef's knife

Instructions

  1. Peel the skin thickly by starting at the top of the root, removing a stripe each time.
  2. Use kitchen paper to hold it so as not to soil the bulb.
  3. Hold the taro in one hand and with a sharp knife remove the top part. Then make a cut on it and with the help of your thumb, press on the knife and by turning your wrist and pressing towards the bulb you "crack" a small piece off 
  4. Use the taro as called for in a recipe, or you can complete cooking it much like you would a potato -- roasted, boiled or baked.

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kolokassi root image

Kolokassi produces some offshoots, which are called “poulles”.   They are peeled the same way as taro, without washing them.

poulles offshoots image

To cook them, cut them in the middle and shallow fry them (I fry them in olive oil).  I remove the oil, put them back in the frying pan and add coarse sea salt, crushed coriander and lemon juice.  They are served as a side dish.

On the right side of the picture with “louvi“, there is a platter with “poulles”.

Louvi me Kolokoui and poulles image

The traditional way of cooking Chirino me Kolokassi (stewed pork with taro) is to fry the meat and taro in a lot of oil and then  transfer ιτ in a saucepan with the oil and the tomatoes, celery and spices.

It is then simmered until the meat becomes tender and the sauce thick.

However, if you fry them in a non-stick sautéing pan, then you don’t need too much oil, making the dish much lighter.

kolokassi peeled and cut image

Recently I visited Cyprus and could not resist the temptation of bringing two roots with me.

I stored them in the refrigerator waiting for my son to return from Crete, where he has been working since April.

Well, yesterday he returned and as it is one of his favourites, I prepared it for him and it was delicious.

collage kolokassi taro image

The same recipe can be made vegan without the meat and served as a side dish.  It is cooked the same way as above, until taro is soft.

This and many more Cypriot recipes are included in my cookbook Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste!

Chirino me Kolokassi (Pork Stew with Taro)

Chirino me Kolokassi (Pork Stew with Taro)

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Kolokassi, from its ancient name “colocasia esculenta”, known as taro, is a root vegetable prepared the same way as potato. Chirino me Kolokassi, is a recipe from the Cypriot cuisine, which is stewed pork with taro.

Ingredients

  • 1 kilo (2.20 lbs) pork, from the neck or shoulder, cut in portions
  • 2 - 3 medium taros (kolokassi)
  • 4 - 6 large stalks of celery, chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped (optional)
  • 4 ripe tomatoes or 1 can (500 grams - 1.10 lb) of whole tomatoes with juice, blended in food processor with 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • Salt & freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil for sautéing
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  1. To prepare the kolokassi, cut the ends and peel the skin. Hold it with a paper towel taking care that you do not soil the rest of kolokassi with your hands. Do not wash but wipe with a paper towel if necessary.
  2. With a sharp knife, cut across 1 ½ cm (½ inch) thick halfway then break off.  Repeat to the end.
  3. Heat the oil in a sautéing pan and sauté the kolokassi. Remove to a platter and sauté the meat as well. Turn the meat over and add the onion and garlic and sauté until translucent. Return taro back to the pan, add the celery, season with salt and pepper and add the tomatoes. Finally, add water and bring to a boil.
  4. Cover pan, reduce heat and simmer for about an hour until both meat and kolokassi are tender and sauce is ready and thick.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 603Total Fat 30gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 18gCholesterol 147mgSodium 193mgCarbohydrates 35gFiber 5gSugar 9gProtein 46g

Did you make this recipe?

Tried this recipe? Tag me @ivyliac and use the hashtag #kopiaste!

Other similar recipes:

Kolokassi with Pork Avgolemono

Collage Kolokassi me chirino image

Kopiaste and Kali Orexi!

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Anonymous

Sunday 16th of May 2010

Hello guys, kolokasi in latinamerica is called Niame (ñame)and we looove it!!

Martha

Saturday 15th of May 2010

Was Googling Taro/Kolokasi and found your post. =) Will try to cook it as your recipe. O Thanks for the recipe! xo

Lorren

Thursday 29th of April 2010

Wow, stewed pork with taro sounds so delicious!

Peter

Thursday 29th of April 2010

Ivy, I love all your Cypriot recipes. You are a great ambassador for Cypriot cuisine, as you cannot find any Cypriot recipes online!

Ivy

Monday 15th of March 2010

@ Georgie Raphael. I have e-mailed you but the e-mail has returned as undelivered. Please check and see if you have sent me the correct e-mail address.

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