Originating in South America it is often commonly called Queensland Arrowroot because it was once grown in commercial qualities in Queensland for its use in making flour for things like Arrowroot biscuits.
Potatoes don't grow very well in sub-tropical climates and QLD arrowroot tuber works well as a potato substitute. They do not store well so keep them in the ground until you are ready to use them. They can be made into chips, boiled, baked or mashed as you would potato, although they need to be cooked for longer than potato. Peel them and then soak for a while in water to remove some of the starch.
They are high in potassium and vitamins and are a very good first food for babies as they are easy to digest.
Harvest the tuber when they become visible at the base. Smaller younger ones are more tender and they become more fibrous and woody the bigger they get.The young shoots are also edible and can be used as a vegetable as you would broccoli, steamed on their own or added to curries and other dishes. The leaves and young shoots are very high protein.
Qld Arrowroot flour
Arrowroot flour, also known as tapioca flour, is gluten-free is made from the tuber. It can be used to make biscuits or cakes and is also used as a thickener in sauces, gravies and custards instead of cornflower. A word of caution - add it slowly as it can thicken things very quickly and you don't want to overdo it! The flour also works well in batters.
The flour can be bought commercially or you can make it yourself using the following recipe:
1. Wash rhizomes, peel skin carefully. The skin will give a bitter taste to the flour if it is left on. The inside of the rhizome should be white and fleshy.
2. Wash the peeled rhizomes and grate into a coarse pulp.
3. Put pulp into a large bowl and pour cold water to cover well.
4. Let the pulp settle, the flour will sink to the bottom of the bowl.
5. Pour off the water and fill the bowl again with clean water.
6. Repeat step five until the water remains clear.
7. Strain, pour pulp onto a tray in a layer 1-2cm thick.
8. Dry in the sun, until you have a dry flour.
9. Store in an airtight container.
Source: Capricornia Branch Newsletter, The 'Grapevine' Edition No.8 November 1995
Qld Arrowroot leaves
Arrowroot leaves are very high in protein and can be used to wrap foods in for steaming or barbecuing.
The generous size of their leaves also make them ideal as compostable serveware for parties and picnics.
Arrowroot make great mulch using a 'chop and drop' method, which, just as it sounds, is a process of cutting back the leaves and letting them mulch down where they fall. However to avoid pests and diseases developing it is better to compost the leaves first and then add it to the soil.
They make an excellent wind break and planted in a double line they work well as a living fence. They make an ideal wind protection for chickens who also enjoy pecking at the leaves for nutrition.
It is easy to Qld arrowroot propagate from root division by digging up a clump, separating them and trimming the leaves right back before replanting.
