Amadumbe is Mzansi’s own version of a potato and like its starchy twin, amadumbe is healthy when consumed in moderation and relatively easy to grow.
In the article published by Health For Mzansi, experts highlighted the importance of amadumbe which has got similarities to an ordinary potato, belonging to the river or root vegetable family.
A registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) Zama Khumalo says amadumbe, known as taro roots, is a ubiquitous dish in Mzansi.
It has several health advantages, including improving heart health, digestive health, and sugar control.
Superfood status
According to Khumalo, amadumbe may be regarded as a superfood since it’s high in nutrients that give multiple health benefits. It is high in dietary fibre, which is essential for digestive health.
Mandilakhe Qulu, a small-scale farmer from Sawpits in Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal, says he has been farming amadumbe for a while now. He believes that amadumbe thrives between July and October in Mzansi.
They require warm conditions to thrive, they are quite sensitive in a cold climate and require some sunlight, notes Qulu. “You simply dig holes in the ground, plant your seeds, and cover them with soil.”
They do not require watering if they are grown in moist, fertilised, and well-prepared soil. Qulu says that it may be the use of manure to prepare the soil or the use of bokashi to enrich the soil.
How to cook amadumbe
Khumalo recommends eating it as a snack, cooked like potatoes using a boiling technique.
Some people dip them in salt while eating as a snack, however, this is not advised as high salt consumption raises the risk of high blood pressure.
The article published on www.healthformzansi.co.za and written by Vateka Halile, also explores harvesting amadumbe and its nutritional characteristics. Read more here.
ALSO READ: Milk showdown: Plant-based takes on dairy
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
