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KNOW YOUR ANDEAN ROOT VEGETABLESPart 2: Minor Andean Root Crops

Before the Spanish conquest, the Inca and the pre-Incan peoples of the Andes developed a unique system of agriculture, as rich as that of any other continent. These five crops are now rarely grown even in the Andean countries that gave birth to them, although arracacha is popular in the northern Andes and Brazil and achira is grown for processing in Asia. Mauka and ahipa have come close to extinction and maca is now grown almost exclusively for processing into nutraceuticals, rather than for food.

MACA

MAUKA

ACHIRA |ah-CHEER-uh|

ARRACACHA

AHIPA

|MAH-kuh|

Lepidium meyeniiSize and shape of a radishFlavor sweet and spicyColors include yellow, red, white and purpleLong growing season

|ar-uh-CATCH-uh|Arracacia

xanthorrhizaLarge roots like parsnipFlavor like carrot & celeryFew varietiesVery long growing season

Canna edulisRhizomes look like ginger or turmericFlavor bland and starchySeveral dozen varietiesCan be high yieldingCan tolerate warmer climates

|MAH-oo-kuh|

Mirabilis expansa |ah-HEEP-uh|

Pachyrhizus ahipaRoot like a mass of carrotsFlavor something like a carrot/sweet potato mixFew varieties, very rare even in the AndesAppears to be easy to grow in many climates

Size and shape of turnipFlavor like mix of apple and water chestnutFew varietiesNeeds some summer heat to yield well

SEASON

YIELD

SPACING

HEIGHT

CLIMATEMild autumn

Warm summer

1-6 LB

6+ months

18 inches

4-6 feet

ACHIRA

Mild/warmyear round

2-5 LB

10+ months

24 inches

3 feet

ARRACACHA

Cool summer

1-4 OZ

8+ months

4 inches

6 inches

MACA

Mild/warmsummer

1/2 - 1 LB

5+ months

12 inches

2 feet

AHIPA

Not very hotor very cold

1-8 LB

2+ years

4+ feet

3 feet

MAUKA

SUGGESTED USES & NUTRITION

Use like carrot, sweet potato, potato, squashStems & roots edible cookedLeaves edible rawCooking water tastes good!

High in protein, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium

MAUKA: MACA:Use like a radishLeaves edible like cress

High in protein and iron

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Usually eaten raw as a fruitStems, leaves & pods are not edible

Low caloriesHigh in vitamin C and potassium

AHIPA:

Use like potatoLeaves and shoots used as a green

High in potassium

ACHIRAUse like carrot, parsnip, potatoGreat in soup & stewsAll parts edible, stems& leaves like celery

High in calcium

ARRACACHA: