Vegetables

Arrowhead bulb

くわい　くわい　kuwai

Also known askuwai

At its best in Jan, Dec

Arrowhead bulb (kuwai), Japanese vegetable — Arrowhead bulb (kuwai) is at its best in Jan, Dec. It is in the market from Nov to Jan.

When it is at its best

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

In seasonAvailable

How to cook

Arrowhead bulb: Fukume-ni — Fukume-ni

Peeled with the shoot left intact and simmered in dashi. An osechi staple.

Arrowhead bulb: Deep-fried plain — Deep-fried plain

Sliced thin and fried, floury and fragrant.

Arrowhead bulb: Kinton — Kinton

Sieved and worked with sugar.

Arrowhead bulb: Takikomi gohan — Takikomi gohan

Diced and cooked with the rice.

How to choose

An unbroken shoot standing well clear. A round bulb with taut skin.

Storage

Sensitive to drying. Wrap in damp paper and refrigerate, taking care not to snap the shoot.

Main areas

Hiroshima
Saitama
Osaka
Ibaraki

Good to know

The vigorous shoot suggests the Japanese phrase for prospects opening up, which makes it indispensable at New Year. The green variety dominates in Japan, smaller and more bitter than the Chinese kind. Grown in paddies, each bulb is dug from the mud by hand.

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