Oca (Oxalis tuberosa)

[kathycam]

Thanks Paul, arrived just now. They look an amazing colour, I can't wait to grow them! I wonder if I should grow some in the mound of rotting grass/ soil. My potatoes did okay in there last year and it's lower now..

[veggiechicken]

Mine have arrived too - They are stunning Paul, thank you. They put the ones that I managed to grow a couple of years ago to shame. I shall enjoy growing these this year

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Thanks from me as well, Paul. The Oca tubers arrived safely today.

[BertieFox]

Do be aware that oca contains very high levels of oxalic acid and just eating them straight from harvest is probably not too good for you and gives them a strong flavour. Some types of oca were originally soaked in water for a considerable period but the 'sweet' oca here just needs to be left out in the sun for a few days to improve the taste and reduce the oxalic acid content. I remember feeling quite sick after eating these when we first grew it and did nothing to the tubers.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I've grown Oca before and taken them straight from the pot (always grow them in a pot) into the kitchen then steamed them. Never noticed a strong taste before

[BertieFox]

It's well documented (the oxalic acid thing) and people say the flavour improves if you expose them. As for reactions, some people can munch happily on Jerusalem artichokes while I dare not touch the things (I've tried many times, cooking them differently each time) as I get far worse than just wind! Even Chinese artichokes (Crosnes) present me with a 'challenge' and they aren't even remotely related. Must admit my reaction to Oca wasn't as bad as either of those two things!

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I know that Oca is meant to have a lemony taste due to the oxalic acid but nope cannot taste any lemon. I wonder if growing conditions can affect the level of oxalic acid in the Oca?

[veggiechicken]

Have you eaten them already Frosty!
Oh Drat - I've just had to eat one It was the smallest - honest. Like a sugary radish - juicy but not lemony. Maybe because they've been maturing for a few days?

[kathycam]

I've been tempted to try one. Will save them as might give a few to a woman on my allotment, who gave me some fruit canes yesterday.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Nope VC, not eaten any of these ones. Grew Oca before for a couple of years then lost my tubers due to early, heavy frosts. Found what BF was saying interesting as I know a few people who have grown or still grow Oca and nobody has had any ill-effects. Not seen anything on the Vine about ill-effects of Oca, so was wondering if growing conditions are to blame. BF is in France (got to warmer than here), so got me wondering. Oca are yum yum steamed. I admit to having a constitution of a horse and can eat anythng but Mr Frosty is the exact opposite. Strange, huh?

[veggiechicken]

You mean I ate one, thinking that you had, and you haven't I'm embarrassed now It was nice though!!!

[chris]

The NZ reds that I got from zaz a year or so ago tasted very lemony for us, at christmas!

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

See now I want to taste a lemony Oca. Perhaps not growing conditions but the variety of the Oca that determines the lemony level. I've grown red and yellow ones before but not the NZ strain.

[chris]

Don't overcook them too, is what I found. Better steamed I guess, but I lightly boiled them so they still had "bite". Quite liked them.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Mushy Oca