Purple Taro in Somville/Camb/Boston?

[opinionatedchef]

I was so surprised that Super88 didn't have this the other day. Reliable doesn't have it. HMart does.
Has anyone seen it elsewhere? It has so much more flavor than non-purple taro.TIA.

[kobuta]

All the names used for taro from different languages totally confuse me. If it's malanga lila you are looking for, I found some today at the recently opened big Phu Cuong market on Dot Ave.

[opinionatedchef]

kob, thx much for thinking of me. i did find it finally at MB Somerville. (i just never get down to dorch. but it's very helpful to have another source.)

[alsaman]

Could you be referring to purple yam? In the Philippines this is known as ube and is made into a variety of desserts, ice cream being a favorite of mine.
Purple yam - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioscorea_alata
Ube and blueberry ice cream recipe - http://burntlumpia.typepad.com/burnt_...

[opinionatedchef]

no. ppl yam and ppl taro are entirely different.

[opinionatedchef]

Over the phone today the produce person at MB Somville said they have it, but a trip there proved her wrong.the other som mkts also were a no. And super 88 was a No the other day, so unfortunately it's onto H Mart for us. phooey.

[opinionatedchef]

now, get THIS!> the produce guy at HMart told My Love that there is no such thing as Purple Taro! Wow, now i REALLY am in trouble! Plse remember me- those of you shopping in Asian and Latin markets; TIA.

[Dea]

You might try the Somerville Winter Market at the Armory on Saturdays. They have a number of vendors selling produce including one that specializes in root vegetables.

[emannths]

Maybe it's hit-or-miss, or gone forever, but I saw plenty at the old Super88/Hong Kong Market last winter.

[itaunas]

I haven't looked for a while, but Market Basket in Somerville used to regularly carry 'malanga lila' in the bins near freezer section (near the yuca, plantains, etc). La Internacional near there is also worth a look and La Sultana Market certainly has malanga blanca, but not certain about the lila. I can't guarantee its the same thing (between Portugal, the caribbean, south america and Asia there is a lot of substitution calling things different names), but its worth a try to see if its what you are looking for.

[itaunas]

I confirmed last week that Market Basket in Somerville had malanga lila in the location I mentioned -- near yuca, bitter orange, etc and facing the freezers (the plantains may not have been there). It was all in good condition and I only saw one piece which had signs of black spots (unlike Shaws in Medford which had really awful ones). As I said above there is a lot of substitution and different names so not certain its what you are looking for, but similar to what I have been served as purple taro.

[opinionatedchef]

thnx much itaunas, i'll go next wk.

[opinionatedchef]

itaunas, never thanked you for this tip. we finally found it in stock there and bought it. malanga lila (lilac?), grown in costa rica.

I wonder why it's so scarce in Boston; it has so much more and better flavor than regular taro.....

i steam and mash it and make taro cakes with shrimp,ham and scallions. thanks much again.