Yam

Yam (red and white, five-fingered yam, greater yam, lesser yam, aerial yam)

Dioscorea family

Origin: hot, humid tropical Pacific Islands

Plant: mid-Sept to mid-Oct

Harvest: When all foliage has died down. Dig gently around the yam taking care not to damage it (cuts will reduce storage life).

Yams can be stored for several months in a cool ventilated area. Depending on the variety, yams can be baked, eaten with dark green leafy vegetables, fish, meat, peanuts and milk, used in curries, fried in oil, used to make a purple cake as well as purple yam wine, made into a dough, flour and African fufu.