Oca
A temperate plant. It mostly grows in the Andes from Colombia to Chile at between 3,500 and 3,800 m altitude. The plant is frost hardy. They grow in the high altitude tropics. (2,800 - 4,560 m in the Andes). In Argentina it grows between 1,200-2,800 m above sea level. In the hot tropical lowlands, tubers perish quickly. A daylength of 9 hours is best for tuber formation. Vegetative top growth occurs under long day lengths. It suits hardiness zones 7-11.
Also known as:
New Zealand yam, Peru, Samoa, Oqa, Apio blanca, Cuiba, Cuiva, Huisisai, Ibias, Macachin, Miquichi, Quiba, Ok'a, Apilla, Ibia, Ruba, Timbo, Quiba, Papa roja, Papa colorada, Papa extranjera, Truffette acide
Synonyms
- Oxalis crenata Jacq.
- Oxalis crassicaulis Zuccarini
- Oxalis arracacha G. Don
Edible Portion
- Flowers, Leaves, Root, Tubers, Vegetable
Where does Oca grow?
Found in: Andes, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Britain, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, South America, Tasmania, United States, Venezuela
Notes: There are about 500 Oxalis species.
Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. "Stew without chunu is like life without love!" It has only recently been introduced to Papua New Guinea to try it out. It is an important food in high altitude areas in the Andes.
Growing Oca
Cultivation: Plants are grown from tubers or cut pieces of tubers which contain 1-3 eyes. Planting is normally done at the beginning of the rainy season and plants are weeded and soil mounded around them. A spacing of 20-40 cm x 20-36 cm is recommended.
Edible Uses: The tubers are acid when fresh but are dried slightly then cooked and eaten. The bitter kinds are freeze dried and stored for later use. They can be used in soups and stews. The young leaves and shoots can be eaten. CAUTION Fresh tubers contain calcium oxalate.
Production: Tubers mature in about 8 months. Average yields in the Andes are about 3.7 t / ha. After digging tubers are cured in the sun for several days.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubers | 61 | 2.1 | - | - | - | - | 83.4 |
Oca Photos
References
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Wikipedia
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