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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Pie Pumpkins and "yams"

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  • From: Roots Farm & Karen Sutherland <rootsfarm AT cwdom.dm>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Pie Pumpkins and "yams"
  • Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:05:43 -0400

Here in Dominica, yams (Dioscorea) of many varieties are staples of the diet (ground provisions).  They are exported to places in U.S. where there are significant West Indian or Puerto Rican populations.   When I visit western MA, I often see yams in standard supermarkets which serve these populations.

Some of the varieties get huge indeed, although these monsters would be used locally and not be exported.  (Exporters have size standards to meet.)  My favorites are the rarish Blood Yam or Red Yam which cooks up like mashed potatoes and the sweetish purpley cush-cush.  Babolay, Ladies' Yam, White Yam are others.  There is even a yam, I forget its name, that makes the "food" on the vine as opposed to under ground.

Best wishes to all,

Karen

Roots Farm
Organic Produce
Fruits, Roots, Vegetables & Herbs
CockraneDOMINICA
767-449-3038

  
On Nov 4, 2009, at 10:42 AM, Bill Shoemaker wrote:

When I took International Food Crops as an undergrad, we discussed the difference between sweet potatoes and yams. In the case of yams, when they are grown in Africa, their native land, they grow up to 5' long and often weigh 50-80 lb. Are you sure that's what you saw?

Bill

 I've seen true Yams in markets in certain parts of
 the country, such as the Bay area of California.
William H Shoemaker, UI-Crop Sciences
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
St Charles Horticulture Research Center
535 Randall Road  St Charles, IL  60174
630-584-7254; FAX-584-4610
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