Taro Bun-long

(Lycopersicon esculentum )

A popular crimson red medium tomato with great taste that tolerates low night temperatures, so it is ideal for cooler area. A Russian heirloom that is an early producer. A tough and vigorous producer that needs staking.

An attractive cultivar medium sized, scarlet red fruit that is full of flavour. Tolerant of cool night temperatures and ideal for cool climate gardens

Flavours/Food Partners

A rich flavored tomato that partners well with Latin herbs like garlic, oregano, marjoram, rosemary and thyme. Use with any good salad vegetable, Nasturtium flowers and mixed fresh herbs to make an attractive and tasty salad.

Health/Cooking/Medicinal

Like all tomatoes, Red Russian is high in the cancer fighting agent, Lycopene and also Vitamin C. For a classic rich sauce cook and mix with garlic, marjoram, sweet basil, diced shallots, and fresh pizza thyme. Finely dice, mix finely chopped shallots, fresh pesto basil and extra virgin olive oil and place on lightly toasted Turkish bread then top with an anchovie for a special homemade bruschetta.

Landscaping/Planting

Plant in an airy, sunny position in well drained soil or very large pots. Requires a 1.1 to 1.4 m stake.

Cultivation/Fertiliser

Like all tomatoes it must receive a deep soaking when almost dry and should not receive overhead watering. Feed regularly with Seasol and Powerfeed. A small amount of dolomite lime after planting will make stronger plants. Remove side shoots and develop two or three main leaders. Harvest when fruit is full color

Herb Attributes

Position Full Sun
Height 1.2m
Width 50cm
Categories: ,

Description

(Colocasia esculenta var esculenta ‘Bun-long’)

There are many herbs in The Renaissance range. Some are essential to any good kitchen, others are a bit exotic and some are special plants for particular cuisines that make up our Premium Collection. They will give your cooking a lift into the exotic. Taro is a large leaved biennial with a high starch corm that is the staple food of many nations.

Flavours/Food Partners

Although Taro root can be used in almost any cooking style it is dominant in most tropical cuisines. It has a mild nutty flavour and lends itself to many different flavours but partners well with coconut, lime, ginger, garlic, onion and sesame. It can be used for sweet dishes when used with sugar, stevia, rice wine and many tropical fruits.

Health/Cooking/Medicinal

It is very easy to cook and is full of nutrients including magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium plus vitamins A, C and B6, thiamin. Simple Taro curry: Take 500gm of taro – peel, clean and dice then par boil for 20 minutes. Mix up your favorite blend of curry spices including cumin, coriander, onion, garlic, chilli and ginger. Lightly fry in coconut oil until it starts to sizzle. Drain taro pieces then add to curry blend. Fry for five minutes then add 250ml of coconut milk and enough water to cover then simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. Add chopped spinach, cook for a minute or two then serve with Basmati rice.

Landscaping/Planting

This large shrub has big leaves on long stems that range from green to black. Can be grown in large pots, in pond edges or most garden beds. Will grow in most soil types but performs best with constant moisture.

Cultivation/Fertiliser

Give regular applications of Seasol and Powerfeed to keep the plant healthy and producing well. Harvest root when leaves have started to yellow and fall over. Tuber can be left in the garden.

Herb Attributes

Position PART TO FULL SUN, LIGHT FROST
Height 2.0M
Width 1.0M