V 3 • fcw HAWAII AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION HONOLULU, HAWAII Under the supervision of the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BULLETIN No. 60 UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES IN HAWAII BY H. L. CHUNG, Agronomist and J. C. RIPPERTON, Chemist December, 1929 !^ NO* " W * M ; , p. 27) . Chinese cabbage is probably the best known of the oriental vegetables in Europe and North America. During the past 30 years it has attracted the atten- tion of American seedsmen by its commercial possibilities. Now practically all the larger seed houses of Europe and the United States list the cabbage as " pe-tsai," " wong bok," " celery lettuce," or " white mustard." Twelve or more varieties of Chinese cabbage fire grown locally. These may be divided into two types. One type is characterized by its* conspicuous compact, blanched head, whereas the other type makes loose or nonheading growth. Both types, how- ever, produce short and tall forms. Heading varieties invariably become nonheading when they are grown under unfavorable condi- tions. In Hawaii the Chinese cabbage is an all-season vegetable. It makes its best growth, however, in the cool, moist regions and during the cool months. Fine specimens are produced in the vicinity of Hilo from January to May. To prepare Chinese cabbage soup. — Slice thinly 1 pound lean pork and mix with 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Season with pepper. Wash 1 tablespoon of dried small shelled shrimp and the cabbage well. Cut the cabbage in 1-inch or 2-inch lengths. Put in heated pot 1% teaspoons of peanut oil, 1 small slice ginger, 1 teaspoon salt. Add the pork mixture and the shrimp and fry for a minute. Add iy 2 quarts of water and boil for 15 minutes. Add the cabbage and cook until it is tender. Chinese Spinach (Amaranthus gangeticus). (Fig. 5) Chinese name : Yin-choi Japanese name: Hiu (Hiyu) Leaf: Oval, or ovate, abruptly tapering at the tip, depending upon the variety; green; iy 2 to 2 inches long: 1 to 1% inches broad. Petiole: Green, 1 to 2% inches long; not thick. Stem: Four and one-half to six inches long; one-fourth to three-sixteenths inches in diameter ; smooth. The plant is indigenous to Asia. Its original home is probably in India. Chinese spinach is not related to the true spinach (Spiruwia oleracea). The name is local and was suggested by its resemblance to the true spinach when cooked. Another variety of Chinese spinach conforming to that described above has a white stem and petiole in- b Tho term "cabbage" as used in this bulletin is a misnomer so far as its relation to true cabbage [BrasHca oleracea) is concerned. Orient-grown Leafy and stem vei,vtables are so-called "cabbages" probably because of the early Interpretation of the ciiiii<-sr word " choi," which means cabbage or greens. 8 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION Figure 5. — Chinese spinach Figure 6. — Chives, UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 9 stead of the usual green. Although only recently introduced for development by the station the variety is already in local demand. Chinese spinach is sold on the market in the seedling stage in rather large cylindrical bunches about 6 to 12 inches across. The individual plants are 4 to 12 inches long. To prepare for the table. — Wash thoroughly 1 bunch Chinese spinach. Remove the roots and cut the leaves in 2-inch lengths. Put in a heated pot V/ 2 teaspoons peanut oil, a little garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt ; add the vegetable. Stir for one-half minute, then add one-half cup water and cook for 15 minutes. Serve hot. Chives (Allium schcenoprasum) . (Fig. 6) Chinese name : Kui-choi Japanese name: Nira Leaf: Slender, cylindrical, hollow, and flattened at the tip; 6 to 8 inches long : one-fourth inch wide. Color: Green to dark green, with or without white bulbous base. Odor: Onionlike. mild. Chives is a hardy herbaceous perennial which grows in a thick mass resembling a tuft of grass (5, p 287). It is indigenous to Europe and Asia. Chives is packed for the local market in bunches about 6 to 12 inches long and 4 inches wide. It is used in flavoring the numerous mixed vegetable dishes so common among the people of the Orient. Coeiandee (CorUmdrum sativum). (Fig. 7) Chinese name : Yuen-sai Japanese name : Koyendoro Leaf: Pinnately or ternately decompound, broadly ovate with margins deeply incised ; 1 inch long ; three-fourths inch wide ; upper surface dull dark green ; lower surface, light green, very glossy, and smooth. Petiole: Short, 2 to 2% inches long, with upper surface grooved. Stem: Round, smooth. The plant is a glabrous annual, and its home is in southern Europe. The tender seedlings 3 to 6 inches long are used for the table. They are packed in bunches of 24 or more. Coriander is an all- season crop and is used for seasoning and for garnishing. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). (Fig. 8) Chinese name: Pu-knng-ying Japanese name: Tampopo (Tanpopo) Leaf: Basal. 3 to 9 inches long; lance shaped; deeply and irregularly lobed and toothed with divisions pointed toward the base; young leaves partly hairy; light to dark green. Petiole: Short and margined. The dandelion, although considered a weed, is an excellent salad and potherb and is used by the people of both the Occident and the Orient. Several varieties of dandelion have been perfected for use in place of the common variety. For market from G to 12 young plants are packed in small bunches with or without the large, broad, deep-yellow flowered heads. 10 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION Figure 7. — Coriander Figure 8. — Dandelion UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 11 Garland Chrysanthemum ( Chrysanthemum corona rium) . (Fig. 9) Chinese name : Tung-ho-choi Japanese name: Shin-giku Leaf: Cleft into many parts or multified ; margins incised and closely placed; 3 to 5 inches long; iy 2 to 2 inches broad; smooth and light green. Petiole: Green, flat. Odor: Characteristic of chrysanthemums. The plant is a herbaceous annual and is a native of the Mediter- ranean regions. Two varieties are cultivated in Hawaii — one with narrow but finely divided leaves and the. other with broader leaves not so conspicuously divided. The former is known in Japanese as chu-ba-shun-giku. and the latter as oba shun-giku. FlGUBE 9. — Garland chrysanthemum Garland chrysanthemum is the young seedling stage of Chrysan- themum coronarium and is packed in bunches about 8 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 2 inches thick. Older plants exceeding 12 inches are as a rule very fibrous and coarse and unfit for table use. The plants when permitted to grow to maturity may attain a height, of 2 to SV2 feet and bear bright yellow flowers resembling miniature chrysanthemums. To prepare far the table. — Wash well 1 bunch of garland chrys- anthemum. Remove the roots and cut the tops in 2-inch lengths. Put in a heated pot 2 teaspoons peanut oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and one- half cup water. When water begins to boil add the vegetable and cook until it is tender. Season and serve hot. 12 Ginger Bracts (Zingiber mioga). (Fig. 10) Chinese name : Keong-fa Japanese name : Mioga Shape: Conical, consisting of close-fitting bracts ; tip tapering with or without flowering buds. Size: Two and one-half to four inches long; 1^4 to 1V 2 inches in diameter. Color: Lower peduncle, white ; upper, reddish purple ; bracts, dark purple ; flowers, yellow or buff. Odor: Slightly pungent ; gingerlike. The plant is said to be a native of Japan (9, p. 99). It is only sparingly cultivated in Hawaii because the demand for it is limited. Figure 10. — Ginger bracts It appears on the market infrequently and is used chiefly for flavor- ing soups. Green Onion (Allium fistulosum). (Fig. 11A) Chinese name: Chang-chung Japanese name : Negi Shape: Stout, somewhat tufted. Leaf: Green, smooth, cylindrical, hollow, pointed at tip; 12 to 14 inches long. Neck: White, smooth, one-half inch in diameter; 4 to 5 inches in length, or one-fourth as long as the plant. Base: Slightly swollen, with many fibrous roots. Odor: Pronounced. The.plant is indigenous to Asia. Green onions are sold in neat bunches of 10 to 14, and the leaves are tied in two places. In Hawaii the vegetable vendor usually UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 13 gives two or three green onions free of charge to each purchaser of other vegetables. The green onion is practically indispensable in the cookery of the people from the Far East. FlGDBK 11. — A. Gieeii onien ; B, leek Honewobt (Cryptotwnia canadensis). (Fig. 12) Chinese name: Asp-ye-kan Japanese name: Mitsuba Leaf: Trifoliate, ovate; upper surface, dark green; lower surface, glossy light green ; margin of leaf finely dentated, with points turning upward ; 2y 2 to 'Sy 2 inches long; 1% to 2y 2 inches broad. Petiole: Cylindrical, hollow, light green to yellowish green; 5 to 7 inches long. Odor: Scented. The plant is a smooth, hardy annual and grows readily from seeds. It makes its best growth in a cool, moist soil. Its cultivation on the island of Oahu is limited largely to the Pauloa, Manoa, and Palolo Valleys. 14 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION Honewort in general appearance somewhat resembles green celery. Honewort is sold on the market in bunches about 12 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 4 inches thick. Each bunch contains 8 to 12 plants. Honewort is used primarily as a condiment for soup, but it may also be boiled alone for a minute, then cooled, cut in 3-inch lengths, and served with soy sauce. Figuke 1: Honewort Kale (Brassica olcracea acephala). (Fij Chinese name : Kai-lan-choi 13) Leaf: Dull or glossy green, thick and fleshy, thinly covered with bloom on both sides ; ovate or oblong in shape ; 4 to 6 inches long ; 2 to 3y 2 inches broad. Petiole: Cylindrical, slender; 2 to 2y 2 inches long; one-eighth to three-six- teenths inch in diameter ; covered with white bloom. Flower: Yellow or white, depending upon the variety. The plant is indigenous to Europe. Kale for market is tied in bunches about 6 inches long, 4 to 5 inches wide, and 2 inches thick. The flowers or buds may or may not be present. To serve plain. — Select the very tender parts of 1 bunch of kale and wash thoroughly in several waters. Cut the kale in 2-inch lengths. Put 2 teaspoons peanut oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 slice ginger in a heated pot; then add the kale and fry for one-half minute. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL, VEGETABLES 15 Add one-half cup water and cook until kale is tender. Then add 1 teaspoon sugar to the liquid to form gravy. Serve. To serve with -fish. — Prepare 1 bunch kale as directed above. Wash and slice one-half pound fish finely. Put in heated pot li/o teaspoons peanut oil, 1 slice ginger and one-half teaspoon salt. Add the fish: stir the whole vigorously for one-half minute; then add the kale and one-half cup of water. Cook 3 minutes over a hot fire. Serve. Leaf-Mustard Cabbage (Brassica juncea). (Fig. 14) Chinese name: Kai-choi Japanese name: Oh-garashi Leaf: Crepelike or crumpled surface ; oval to broad and oblong to obvate in shape ; margin, notched ; 6 to 12 inches long and 4 to 8 inches broad. Petiole: Swollen, curved or straight, depending upon the strain or variety, and usually white bloom on surface. Leaf-mustard cabbage or " green mustard," and " Chinese mus- tard," as it is sometimes called, is a hardy annual. It normally grows 3 to 4 feet high and branches profusely. The flowers are bright yellow, and the seeds are small, round, and reddish brown to black (#, v. i, p. 157). The plant is a native of China and India. Leaf-mustard cabbage appears on the market in two forms, one as very young seedlings, and the other as fairly well-developed but immature plants. The former are sold in bunches of 10 or more, and the latter in bunches of 4 to 6. Two distinct varieties of the vegetable can be had, one with enlarged, curved basal petioles, and the other with straight petioles. To prepare soup. — Slice finely 1 pound lean pork and stir into 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Pepper to season. Wash 1 bunch leaf-mustard cabbage and 1 tablespoon dried small shelled shrimp. Cut the cabbage in 2 : inch lengths. Put in heated pot iy 2 teaspoons peanut oil, 1 slice ginger, and one-half teaspoon salt. Add the pork mixture and the shrimp and fry for a minute. Then add 1% quarts of water and boil for about 15 minutes. Add cabbage and cook for 5 minutes. Serve. Leek (Alliunt pa?Tiim). (Fig. 11B) Chinese name: Dai-chung Japanese name : O-negi Leaf: Green, not hollow, flattened and keeled, smooth; 12 to 24 inches long; 1 inch broad. Neck: White; 6 to 12 inches long, or half as long as the plant; one-half to I14 inches in diameter. Base: Not swollen. The plant is a native of Europe and western Asia. Several varieties of green Alliums appear daily on the market. The leek is usually the largest of the varieties, and can readily be identified by its long, white neck and narrow base. 16 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION Figure 13. — Kale Figure 14. — Leaf or green mustard ; A, Enlarged, curved basal variety ; B, straight basal variety UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 17 Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Chinese name: Sung-choi Japanese name: Chisa Head: Loose, not compact. Leaf: Crisp, crumpled: 8 to 10 inches long; G to 8 inches wide. Color: Light yellowish green. Lettuce is a native of India and southern Europe. People from the far eastern countries prefer a loosely formed head. The variety known as Black Seeded Simpson is grown especially for them by the truck gardeners in Hawaii. Lettuce is marketed in bunches of two to four plants. To prepare for the table. — Wash each leaf of 1 bunch of lettuce separately and thoroughly. Shake them free of water. Put 1 tea- spoon peanut oil, 1 slice ginger, and y 2 teaspoon salt in a pot over the fire. When the mixture is very hot add y 2 cup water, and then the lettuce. Cook for five minutes. Serve hot. Malabar Nightshade (Basella rubra). (Fig. 15) Chinese name : Pu-tin-choi Japanese name : Tsuru-murasaki Leaf: Green, glossy, smooth, and tender; oval to circular with apex notched or emarginated; 3 to 5 inches long; 2 to 4 inches wide. Petiole: Five-eighths to three-quarters inch in diameter; smooth and tender; green or purple, depending upon the variety. Malabar nightshade is a native of Asia. The plant is either a twining annual or a biennial which branches freely (llf, p. 303). The variety in common use is green. Another variety has green leaves and red or purplish petioles and stems. Malabar nightshade is tied in bunches about 12 inches long or longer, depending upon the length of the vine, 6 inches wide, and 2 inches thick. To prepare for soup. — Wash 1 bunch Malabar nightshade thor- oughly and cut it in 3-inch lengths. Mix 1 pound sliced lean beef or pork with 1 teaspoon cornstarch and a little soy sauce. Season with pepper. Put in heated pot 1% teaspoons peanut oil and y 2 teaspoon salt ; add the meat and fry for y 2 minute. Add iy 2 quarts of water, boil 15 minutes, and then add the vegetable. Cook for another 15 minutes. Serve. When pork is used, 1 heaping table- spoon of dried small shelled shrimps may be added. To serve with bean curd. — Wash 2 heaping tablespoons dried, small shelled shrimp thoroughly; boil 15 minutes in iy 2 quarts of water to which y 2 tablespoon salt has been added. Add four 2-inch cubes of bean curd, or tau-hu, to the soup. Boil five minutes, add the vegetable, and cook until it is tender. 6 Bean curd is the fresh coagulated milk that is ohtainod from pulverized soybeans after straining and cooking them. 74123°— 29 2 18 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION Matrimoxy-vine {Lnjcium chmeiise). (Fig. 16) Chinese name : Kau-kei Japanese name : Kuko Leaf: Smooth, dark or bright green ; ovate to lanceolate ; 1 to 1% inches long ; one-half to 1 inch wide. Petiole: One-fourth to one-half inch long. Stem: Coarse, angled, yellowish gray, with single spine at each node. Matrimony- vine is a native of eastern Asia. The plant has pros- trate branches, is spiny, and grows 3 to 6 feet high. The flowers are crepelike, purplish, and produce small orange-colored berries. i ft it Figure 15. — Malabar nightshade The leaves constitute the edible portion of the vegetable. Matri- mony-vine is found periodically on the market in bunches about 20 inches long and 6 inches wide. To prepare for soup. — Wash 1 bunch matrimony vine thoroughly by dipping it vigorously in running water, then carefully strip each leaf from the thorny stems. Mix y 2 pound finely sliced lean pork with 1 teaspoon cornstarch and a little soy sauce. Season with pepper. Wash 2 tablespoons dried, small shelled shrimp and boil 10 minutes in iy 2 quarts of water and add the pork mixture to the shrimp, then add the vegetable and 1 partly beaten egg. Boil until the leaves are tender. Season with salt and serve. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 19 Mugwobt (Artemisia vulgaris). (Fig. 17) Chinese name: Ngaai Japanese name: Yomogi Leaf: Dissected into lanceolate lobes; 1 to S l /> inches long; margin, smooth on older or terminal loaves. The young leaves of the seedlings are cleft — that is. the leaf division is less pronounced. Upper surface, silvery gray with fine and close-pressed wool. Petiole: Very short, or may he absent from older branches; 2 to 3 inches long on the new, succulent branches. Stem: Purplish or purplish gray, smooth, much branched; 1 to V/ 2 feet long. Odor: Fragrant. FlGUBE 16. — Matrimony-vine The mugwort is a hardy herbaceous perennial (-5, p. 8JfO) and is a native of Europe. It grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet. The seed- ling or all the branches collectively from the mature plant are sold in bunches about 12 to 18 inches long. This vegetable is used principally for flavoring and coloring fes- tival rice cakes, or mochi. To cook with rice, select young leaves and tender twigs of the plant: wash them well; boil in a little water until they are tender. Then steam with rice. When the vegetable- rice mixture is thoroughly cooked, place it in a mortar and mash. 20 BULLETIN" 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION" Then form the mass into balls and fill the center of each with an, a mixture of sugar and beans. 7 Perilla (Perilla frutescens) . (Fig. 18) Chinese name: Che-so Japanese name : Shiso Leaf: Crisp; wrinkled; hairy; ovate; base, wedge shaped; iy 2 to 1% inches long; three-fourths to 1 inch wide; margin or edge, wavy, serrated, or incised; upper surface has bronze-purplish green luster ; lower surface, dark purple. Figure 17. — Mugwort Petiole: Long, slender, slightly hairy ; one-half to 1 inch long. Stem: Long, slender, purple. Flower: May or may not be present, white to rose colored. Odor: Balsamic scented. Perilla, also known as P. frutescens crispa and P. frutescens! nan- kinensis, is indigenous to Burma, China, Japan, and India (5, p. 646). It is sold in small bunches of 10 to 15 plants, or branches 3 to 24 inches long, depending upon the age of the plant. The smaller size, with luxuriant foliage, is usually the seedling stage of growth. 7 To make an, soak 1 pound adzuki beans (Pftaseolus chrysanlhos) 24 hours. Drain, add fresh water sufficient to cover, and let come to a boil. Drain again, and add more fresh water and let come to a boil, repeating this process four times to remove any bitter taste from the beans. After the final draining, mash the beans. Then add to them suffi- cient water to permit washing out and removal of the finer particles when strained through the cheesecloth. Add sugar to the) strained mass and cook slowly until it has the consistency of mashed potatoes. UTILIZATION" AND COMPOSITION OF OMENTAL. VEGETABLES 21 To serve cucumber favored with perilla. — Peel one medium-sized cucumber; cut in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and then slice thinly; add salt and let stand for about five minutes. Then wash the cucumber, squeeze dry, and put in bowl. Shred the perilla. Cut the contents of one-half can of small fresh shrimps in half length- wise ; then mix with the cucumber and the perilla, with 3 tablespoons Japanese vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Serve. Figure is. — Perilla Potherb-Mustard Cabbage (Sinapis chincnsis). (Fig. 19) Chinese name: Sui-choi Japanese name: Midsuna Leaf: Oblong or oblong ovate, with deeply cut lobes on the sides of the midribs; margin <>r edge of leaf incised or irregular; 4 to 6 indies long; 1 to 2% inches broad; green and smooth. Petiole: Six to eight inches long; slender; one-eighth to three-eighths inch broad; white and smooth; upper surface, hat; round at lower surface. The plant is a biennial but ordinarily is grown as an annual (.{, p. 28; i, p. 10). Its original home is Asia. Potherb-mustard cab- bage is one of the few Orient-grown vegetables which can be readily 22 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION distinguished from others by its deeply-cut leaves and long, slender petioles. The plant also produces many axillary buds at the base of each petiole when developed. As the plant grows older these buds send out long, white petioled leaves, which make it appear large and showy. Potherb-mustard cabbage is sold on the market and used by the Japanese exclusively as a seedling. It is packed in bunches about 6 inches wide, 4 to 6 inches long, and about 2 inches thick. The vege- table has a pleasant flavor and should be more extensively used. The tender plants should be selected for table use. They should be washed thoroughly and prepared as directed for leaf-mustard cabbage. Radish Greens (Raphanus sativus longipimnatus) Chinese name : Loh-bak-choi-chai Japanese name: Koko-no-ka daikon Leaf: Compound, with leaflets arranged in pairs on each side of the petiole ; smooth, free from spines ; 4 to 6 inches long ; 2 to 3 inches broad ; margin or edge, scalloped (S, v. 1, p. 166). Root: White; 4 to 6 inches long; three-sixteenths to three-eighths inch in diameter. Eadish greens, seedlings or thinnings obtained as a by-product from the culture of the radish, are removed at intervals from the seed beds to make room for such growing plants as are to be retained for the production of the edible root. The culture of radish greens or daikon on a large scale calls for heavy initial seedings to assure a good stand. The seedlings are sold as ko-ko-no-ka daikon. They are cooked like the Chinese spinach. Radish greens is conspicuous on the market by reason of the long, white taproots, and it is tied in small bundles of 20 or more seedlings. Spinach (Spinacia oleraoea) . (Fig. 20) Chinese name : Boh-choi Japanese name : Horenso Leaf: Narrow oblong or ovate oblong, with projecting lobes on either side; green, smooth; 3 to 5 inches long; 1 to 1% inches wide. Petiole: Slender ; 4 to 4 1 / 4 inches long ; brittle. Crown: Large, with many developed axillary buds. Spinach is a native of Persia. Boh-choi might be freely translated " an edible greens from the country of Persia." Spinach is a deli- cious greens for the cool season. It usually appears* on the local markets from November to February. Spinach is in demand by the people of both the Orient and the Occident and is a rich source of iron in the dietary. Because of its brittle nature spinach is sometimes wrapped for market in a leaf of lily or canna and tied securely with fiber. This prevents the breaking of the petioles in handling. Other vegetables which resemble true spinach are not so wrapped for market. Each bunch contains 4 to 6 plants and is about 12 inches long and 4 inches broad. UTILIZATION- AND" COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 23 ''^' 9 t*\?m* h fT Figure 19. — Potherb-mustard cabbage FlGUEB 20. — Spinach 24 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION To prepare for the table. — Cut off at the crown; separate the leaves and wash thoroughly. Cut them in 3-inch lengths and cook in water to which a little salt has been added. Boil for 10 minutes; then remove from the fire ; drain, and serve with or without butter. Swamp Cabbage (Ipomcea reptans). (F g. 21) Chinese name : Ung-choi Leaf: Light green, thin, smooth, ovate-cordate, or arrowhead shaped; 2% to 4 inches long; IV2 to 2y 2 inches across (14 p. 291). Petiole: Light yellowish green, smooth with hollow internodes; one-fourth to one-half inch in diameter. White, tender roots are often present around the nodes of the lower stem. Figure 21. — Swamp cabbage Swamp cabbage is a member of the morning-glory family and is said by Hillebrand (7, p. 31J+) to have been brought to Hawaii by early Chinese immigrants. The plant is an aquatic herbaceous creep- ing or floating vine. It thrives in ponds, and bears a white flower which is similar in shape to the sweetpotato bloom and the morning- glory, but is slightly smaller. Swamp cabbage is a native of India. Swamp cabbage for market is packed in bunches of 16 or more terminal shoots of vines. Each vine is about 12 to 14 inches long. The bunches are tied at the lower end and are fan shaped in appearance. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 25 To prepare for the table. — Wash well the tender part of 1 bunch of swamp cabbage; cut in 3-inch lengths. Have at hand a heated pot containing iy 2 teaspoons of peanut oil and a small piece of crushed garlic. Add cabbage and fry briskly five minutes. Season with salt or soy sauce before serving. Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris cicla). (Fig. 22) Chinese name : Tim-choi Japanese name : To-jisa Figure 22.— Swiss chard Leaf: Ovate to oblong in shape ; light to dark green in color ; smooth, fleshy, thick, and broad; 6 to 8 inches long; 3 to 6 inches broad. Petiole: Light green to light pink; 4 to 8 inches long. Midrib: Large and conspicuous. Swiss chard or leaf beet is a member of the common beet family, In it develops large fleshy leaves instead of the root. The plant is a herbaceous biennial and grows 1 to 3 feet high. The leaves are gathered periodically and can be removed without injuring the plant, it is a native of Europe, northern Africa, and Asia. Swiss chard is usually marketed in bunches with its leaves placed alternately in opposite directions, which gives the bunch the appear- ance of a dumb-bell. 26 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION To prepare for the table. — Wash each leaf and petiole and cut them in 3-inch lengths. Prepare as directed for Chinese spinach! Use very little water so as not to spoil the flavor. Taro Shoots (Colovasia esculenta). (Fig. 23) Chinese name: Woo-sun Japanese name: Imo-no-me Size: Eight to eighteen inches long ; three-fourths to 1 inch in diameter. Shape: Semierect or curved. Color: White or white with purple tinge. Figure 23. — Taro shoots The taro plant, also known as asparagus taro-top (7, p. 455), is indigenous to Asia and Polynesia. Within recent years the culture of taro or dasheen for the production of shoots has been placed on a commercial basis (15). The demand for this vegetable in Hawaii will probably increase as it becomes better known. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 27 Taro shoots are the tender, delicious growth from the taro corm which is grown in moist sandy soil, or in sphagnum moss in a dark- ened place. The vegetable is sold on the market in cylindrical bunches of 8 to 18, depending upon their size. To prepare for the table. — Wash the vegetable and cut it in 2-inch lengths; boil in water to which a little salt has been added. Cook till tender and serve with or without butter. Figtre 24. — Taro stalks Taro Stalks (Colocasia e.sculenta). (Fig. 24) Chinese name: Woo-harp Japanese name : Iino-kuki Shape: Long, slender, wide at base, narrow at tip. SizQ Twelve to sixteen inches long; three-fourths to 1 inch in diameter at base. Color: Light green to dark purple or purplish green, depending upon the variety. Taro stalks are the leafstalks of many varieties of both the wet and the dry land taro. The stalks may be green or purple or a com- bination of the two colors. The stalks consist of the upper four- fifths of the entire leafstalk of the taro. The lower fifth is left at- tached to the corm when the latter is offered for sale as taro. Taro 28 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION stalks come in cylindrical bundles about 12 to 15 inches long and 4 inches across. The stalks are practically leafless, but some young unfurled leaves are to be found within the sheaths. The Japanese dry-land varieties, Tru-no-ko, Aka-do, and Miyako, are largely used in supplying the local markets. The variety which is known on the market as Tow-imo is 4 to 6 feet long and 2 to 4 inches thick at the base. It is light green and may or may not be covered with a bloom or whitish substance. This variety is cultivated primarily for its edible petioles. To prepare for the table. — Cook as directed for taro shoots but until tender. Figure 25. — Tender fern fronds Tender Fern Fronds (Pteridium aquilinum). (Fig. 25) Chinese name : Kuet Japanese name: Warabi Shape: Stafflike petiole or leafstalk with closely coiled lip. Size: Eighteen to twenty-four inches long; tapering toward tip; three-fourths to l 1 /^ inches in diameter at thick end. Color: Light green with fine, close-pressed brown wool over entire stem and leaves. Tender fern fronds are the immature, unfurled leaves and leaf- stalks of the tree fern. The fronds for market are tied in bunches of four to six. A smaller species of fern (Osmunda regalis japonica UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 29 or var. biformls), known as Zenmai in Japanese, is used like the tender tree fronds. Neither species is cultivated. Both are gathered in the mountains by gardeners whose truck farms are adjacent to fern forests. To prepare for the table. — Remove skin from four stalks; cut in 3-inch lengths and then lengthwise into thirds. Place in water over night to remove acid and prevent discoloration. Boil them in water for seven minutes; drain; fry in one-half tablespoon peanut oil or lard ; add 2 tablespoons soup stock, 1 tablespoon sugar, and a little soy sauce ; cook again for five minutes and serve. Turnip Greens {Brassica rapa) Chinese name : Mu-ching-choi-ehai Japanese name : Ko-ko-no-ka kubura Leaf: Radical, pinnate ; 8 to 12 pairs ; soft, slightly prickled ; narrow ; 5 to 6 inches long. Root: Flat, or globular; white; 1 to 1% inches in diameter, depending upon age. Like the radish greens turnip greens are the leafy tops which are obtained by thinning the stand of plants. Like radish greens also, turnip greens appear on the market in bunches, but may be distin- guished from the former by their round or flattened white roots. They are cooked like the Chinese spinach. WaterCress {Nasturtium officinale) . (Fig. 26) Chinese name : Sai-yong-choi Japanese name : Kawara-chisa Leaf: Odd pinnate; leaflets round or oblong; 2 to 8 pairs; 1 to l 1 /^ inches long; three-fourths inch wide; smooth, yellowish, or dark green. Stem: Long ; one-fourth to three-eighths inch in diameter ; smooth, light green. Flowers: Rarely appear at stage when the cress is gathered for market. Flowers are small and white. Water cress is a floating perennial and grows best in fresh, running water. On the island of Oahu it is frequently observed growing in ponds adjacent to springs or artesian wells. Its native home is Europe. Water cress is sold in bunches about 16 to 20 inches long, tied near the cut base. This vegetable appears on the market throughout the year. To prepare for the table. — Wash 1 bunch water cress well; break the tender part in 2-inch lengths. Slice finely one-half pound lean pork. Put in heated pot 1 teaspoon peanut oil, 1 slice ginger, and one-half teaspoon salt. Add the pork and fry for 2 minutes; then add 1 quart water and 6 jujubes or hong-cho. Boil over a slow fire for one hour. Then add the water cress and boil for another 20 minutes before serving. 30 BULLETIN" GO, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION Water Dropwort {(Enanthe stolonifera) . (Fig. 27) Chinese name : Sui-kan Japanese name : Seri Leaf: Green, 2 or 3 leaflets; three-fourths to iy 2 inches long; one-half to three-fourths inch wide ; margin or edge of leaflet scalloped. Petiole: One to one and three-fourths inches long; slender, hollow. Stem: Hollow, 6 to 10 inches long ; light green. Figure -6. — Water cress The plant is an aquatic herbaceous perennial with stolons which are readily propagated (#, v. °2, p. 696). Water dropwort somewhat resembles the young celery plant but has a fibrous root system. Water dropwort is tied in bunches about 12 inches long and 5 to 6 inches wide. The entire plant, including the root system, is marketed. As a flavoring for soups. — Place the vegetable in boiling water for one minute. Cool in water, then cut it in 2-inch lengths and add to chicken or fish soup. Use about seven pieces of water dropwort to each portion of soup. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 31 "YVhite-Mustabi) Cabbage (Brassica chhun.sis). (Fig. 28) Chinese name: Bak-choi Japanese name : iShirona Head: Loose, not compact. Leaf: Smooth and green ; broadly obovate and entire, glossy, firm, scallop edged : 6 to 8 inches long ; 4 to 6 inches broad. Petiole: Fleshy, glossy, white; 4 to 7 inches long; one-half to 1% inches wide. Of all the Orient-grown vegetables, white-mustard cabbage is per- haps the best known by people of the Occident. The plant is a gen- eral favorite because of the pleasing taste of its petioles and its at- tractive appearance. White-mustard cabbage is a native of Asia. Figure 27. —Water dropwort Four forms of white-mustard cabbage are found on the market. The first, a flowering variety known as bak-choi-sum, is slender and has long, round, narrow petioles and narrow leaves and tops which bear buds or yellow blossoms in profusion. The second form, the Japanese variety known as shakushina on the market, is tall and has long, slender, white petioles and oval Leaves. The third form is stout and has luxuriant leaves and fleshy petioles but no flower buds or blossoms. The fourth form, known as bak-choi-chai, is the seedling stage of the three above-mentioned forms and is the result of thinning the plants. To make white-mustard cabbage soup, prepare like leaf-mustard cabbage. 32 BULLETIN" 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION Figure 28. — White-mustard cabbage : A, A slender, early-flowering variety ; B, stout variety TJTILIZATIOX AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 33 To serve plain. — Wash 1 bunch white-mustard cabbage well and cut it in 1-inch or 2-inch lengths. Put in heated pot 2 teaspoons peanut oil, 1 slice ginger, one-half tablespoon salt ; add the vegetable and fry for one-half minute. Add one-half cup water and cook until the vegetable is tender. To cook with meat. — Mix one-half pound finely sliced lean beef or pork with 1 teaspoon cornstarch, a little pepper, and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Put in heated pot 2 teaspoons peanut oil, one-fifth tea- spoon garlic, and one-half teaspoon salt. Add the meat, stir, and fry to light brown. Then add the vegetable and one-half cup water. Cook until the vegetable is tender. Season to taste and serve. GROUP 2. FRUIT AND POD VEGETABLES Balsam-Pear (Momordica charantia). (Fig. 29) Chinese name : Fu-qua Japanese name : Tsuru-reishi Shape: Long, oblong, oval, many-ribbed, and covered with blunt warts or tubercles ; tapering at apex ; smooth throughout. Size: Six to twelve inches long; 2 to 2 1 /£> inches in diameter. Color: Light to dark green. Taste: Bitter. Balsam-pear, also known as bitter melon, is an annual plant which grows eight to twelve feet long. In some of the oriental gardens in Hawaii it appears as a dense matlike covering of green foliage grown in long, vertical rows with newspaper envelopes attached here and there. The envelopes are used to protect the young melons from the attacks of the melon flies. The balsam-pear is picked for the market before maturing. The fruit, however, is at its best when it is beginning to ripen. The interior of the melon is pithy and has many flat seeds in pulplike coverings. The seeds are white to brown, with a peculiar pattern on the surface, depending on the degree of ripeness. The rind is bright yellow to orange, and the pulplike seed covering becomes bright red at maturity. To prepare for chop suey. — Slice two medium-sized balsam-pears lengthwise and remove pulp and seeds. Wash pears and cut in %-inch slices; then place them in boiling water for five minutes; drain. Slice thinly one-half pound lean beef and mix with 1 tea- spoon flour or cornstarch. Put in heated pot or frying pan iy 2 teaspoons peanut oil, a little salt, some soy sauce, and 1 slice ginger. Add the meat and fry for about one minute ; then remove from the container. Fry the boiled vegetable separately for another minute, then mix with the cooked beef, adding enough water to make gravy. Cook one-half minute and serve. To stuff. — Cut two large balsam-pears crosswise in 2-inch lengths; remove pulp and seeds with handle of spoon and wash. Run one-half pound finely chopped lean pork through meat grinder. Wash 2 teaspoons small, dried, shelled shrimps and run through grinder. Mix shrimps and pork and again run through grinder. Soak three soda crackers in cold water, then mix them with a little 74123°— 20 3 34 BULLETIN" CO, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION salt, pepper, soy sauce, and finely cut onion or chives. Chop fine and add to meat mixture. Stuff the balsam-pear sections with the meat mixture. Brown both ends of the stuffed pear in a frying pan containing 1% teaspoons peanut oil. Remove from pan and place in a saucepan with enough water to make gravy. Sprinkle a little salt on the meat and allow it to cook for about 15 minutes before serving. Sweet pepper, eggplant, or bean curd may be used in place of the bitter melon. Figure 29. — Balsam-pear Cowpeas (Vigna sinensis). (Fig, 30) Chinese name : Sai dau-kok Japanese name: Sasage Shape: Pods, slightly curved. Size: Six to nine inches long; one-fourth inch in diameter. Color: Light yellow, green, or green blotched with purple. The cowpea is a native of Asia. It appears on the local market in the green-pod stage and is usually used as a vegetable without shell- ing. The pods are marketed in small bundles of 12 to 18. The slightly immature cowpea pods are prepared for the table like the yard-long bean. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OK ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 35 Chinese Preserving Melon {Benincasa cerifera). (Fig. .">1 ) Chinese name: Dung-kwa Japanese name : Togwa Shape: Spherical to long-oblong. Size: One to four feet long; 10 to K'> inches in diameter. Color: Kind, green, thick, may or may not be powdered with white bloom; flesh, white with white pithy center. Seed: Small, light straw or buff color. The Chinese preserving melon is an oriental cucurbit which grows very large, varying in weight from 30 to 40 pounds. The outstand- ing feature of the melon is its wonderful keeping quality when fully Figure 30. — Cowpeas matured. It will remain sound for G to 1*2 months if it is not in- jured. The melon is retailed by the pound, any quantity desired be- ing cut off when purchased. Like other cucurbitaceous vegetables, the Chinese preserving melon is also placed on the market in an im- mature state, and it is then called Zit-kwa. To make soup. — Scrape skin from one small, tender melon (iy 2 to 3 pounds) : cut melon in 1%-inch squares one-half inch thick. Slice thinly one-half pound lean pork and mix with 1 teaspoon cornstarch, a little pepper, and some soy sauce. Have at hand a heated pot containing l 1 /? teaspoons peanut oil, a little garlic, and one-half 36 BULLETIN" GO, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION teaspoon salt. Add the pork, stir, and fry for a few minutes. Then add iy 2 quarts water. Boil for 15 minutes; add melon and cook until it is tender. To serve stuffed melon. — Soak 3 tablespoons lotus seeds or lin-ze, and six medium-sized dried mushrooms overnight. Wash lotus seeds and remove the undeveloped green seed leaves (cotyledons) from within. Wash mushrooms and remove stems. Cut 6 ounces bamboo shoots in T Vinch cubes. Scrape melon skin off and discard part of Figure 31. -Chinese preserving melon B, immature fruit A. Mature fruit ; the stem end so that the fruit can be set upright. Open the top and remove the pulp and seeds with a spoon. Chop finely 1 pound pork or duck meat, add 1 teaspoon salt, one-half teaspoon cornstarch, a little pepper, and ginger. Mix with lotus seeds, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. Stuff the melon with this mixture and place in a pot to steam for one hour. Serve. To serve sliced. — Cut scraped melon in 2-inch lengths iy 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Sandwich in each length, by making a slit, a thin slice of medium-lean ham. Add salt to taste and allow to steam in pot for one hour. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 37 Dishcloth Gourd (Luff a acutanffula) . (Fig. 32) Chinese name: See-qua Japanese name: Heehima Shape: Long, enlarged at apex, narrow at stem end; slightly curved; ridged longitudinally. Siee: One to two feet long; iy 2 to 2% inches in diameter. Color: Green skin, white flesh. Figure 32. — Dishcloth gourds The dishcloth gourd, also known as vegetable gourd, sponge gourd, and rag gourd, somewhat resembles okra (Hibiscus esculentus), and is often called Chinese okra. The plant is a monoecious annual and is indigenous to India. The coarse rind of this peculiar gourd bears 10 narrow ridges running lengthwise. Like many other orient- grown melon-bearing vegetables, the gourd must be picked immature for table use. It may be used to replace or supplement edible-podded peas in the chop suey recipe given under the caption, " Edible-Podded Peas," page 39. 38 BULLETIN" 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION" To make chop suey. — Use recipe given for edible-podded peas. To make soup. — Slice thinly one-half pound lean pork. Wash two medium-sized dishcloth gourds, remove ribs and outer skin; slice vegetable crosswise in ^-inch lengths. Have at hand a heated pot containing IV2 teaspoons peanut oil, a little salt, and a small slice ginger. Add the meat and fry for half a minute. Then add a little water and boil for 20 minutes; add the vegetable; cook for 5 minutes ; serve. Figure 33. — Long eggplants Long Eggplant {Solatium melongena serpentinum). (Fig. 33) Chinese name : Ai-kwa Japanese name : Nanbu-naga nasu Shape: Club-shaped or clavate. Size: Four to six inches long; 1 to iy 2 inches in diameter. Color: Purple or white, glossy. The long eggplant is somewhat of a curiosity. Its diminutive size, shape, and color appeal to a large group of buyers who prefer it to the large variety. In quality the long eggplant is said to be superior to the ordinary round variety. To prepare for the table. — Bake or fry and serve with soy sauce to which grated ginger has been added. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 39 Edible-podded Teas (Pisum soft rum mcoorocarpon) . (Fig. 34) Chinese name : Hoh-lang-dau Japanese name : Chabo-endo Shape: Pods, flattened, tapering at both ends, sides somewhat swollen. Size: Two and a half to three and a half inches in length ; one-half to three- fourths inch in diameter. Color: Light to dark green. The plant is an annual which grows 2 to 4 feet high. Its native home is western Asia. Edible-podded peas appear on the market as partly developed pods. Both pod and peas are edible. Like bamboo shoots, edible-podded peas are an important ingredient of many attractive oriental dishes. rtfWJ Figure o4. — Edible-podded peas Edible-podded peas in chop suey. — Soak six medium-sized dried mushrooms in water for one hour and then boil them for 10 minutes. Wash and slice thinly the mushrooms, 6 ounces bamboo shoots, and one medium-sized carrot. Cut in 2-inch lengths two green spring onions, tops and all. Cut one stalk celery into small pieces. Wash 6 ounces edible-podded peas and remove the ends. Slice thinly one-half pound lean pork. Put in heated pot 2 teaspoons pea- nut oil, one-half teaspoon salt, and a little garlic. Add the meat, bamboo shoots, and carrot. Stir for one-half minute, then add one- half cup water to make gravy. Cook until the vegetables are tender Remove and place in a side dish. Place in the same heated pot, 2 teaspoons peanut oil, 1 teaspoon salt ; then add the edible-podded peas, celery, green onions, and mushrooms. Fry briskly for one- half minute; then add the already cooked mixture from the side dish. Mix the two thoroughly by stirring. Serve hot. 40 BULLETIN" 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION Goa Beans (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) . (Fig. 35) Chinese name: See-kok-tau Shape: Pods, square, slightly curved, with distinct thin, green, incised, mem- branous wings. Size: Seven to nine inches long; three-fourths to 1% inches wide; wings about one-half inch wide. Color: Dark green. Figure 35. — Goa beans Although the Goa bean, also known as asparagus pea and winged bean, has been long known and used in the Orient, it has only re- cently been introduced into Hawaii, where it is as yet little known. Its cultivation promises to be more extensive as it becomes better known. The plant is a native of India (#, v. #, p. 211). To cook plain. — Prepare like the yard-long bean (p. 44) except that the pods should be cut into ^-inch lengths. The flavor is easily destroyed by overcooking. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 41 Jesuits' Nut (Trapa bieornis, T. natans). (Fig. 30) Chinese name: Ling-kok Japanese name : Ilishi-mo-ini Shape: Protuberant, triangular; has two strong oppositely placed long de- curved horns. Size: Two and one-half to three inches long from tip to tip of horns; 1 inch wide. Color: Brown to ebony. The Jesuits' nut plant, also called " water caltrops," is a floating aquatic annual with spongy, inflated petioles (?, p. 132). It is indig- enous to the Orient. Figure 30. — Jesuits' nut The Jesuits' nut may be found on the markets in late September. Its use, however, is limited to the Full Moon festival of the Chinese. The Jesuits' nut contains a large, white kernel. The nuts are boiled for an hour in hot water. The kernels are then removed and eaten while they are still warm. Oriental Pickling Melon (Cucnmis conomon). (Fig. 37) Chinese name : Yuet-kwa Japanese name: Shiro-uri Shape: Oblong, cylindrical, slightly clavate. Size: Eight to twelve inches long, 2V 2 to 3>/_> inches in diameter. Color: White to light yellowish green skin and white flesh. The oriental pickling melon is closely related to the common green cucumber and resembles it in size, shape, and weight, but not in the 42 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION color of the skin. The melon is a seasonal vegetable and is found on the market usually in March. To prepare soup. — Peel melon and cut in halves lengthwise. Re- move seeds. Cut the halves crosswise in %-inch lengths and boil them for about five minutes. Drain; boil again with 2 cups soup stock, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and one-half teaspoon sugar. Thicken the soup with 1 tablespoon cornstarch before serving. A good soup stock may be made by putting one-half pound grated, dried tuna fish, or katsuobushi, in 1 quart water which is brought to the boil- ing point. Let stock stand for three minutes, then strain. Figure 37. — Oriental pickling melons Soybeans {Glycine hispida). (Fig. 38) Chinese name: Chang-wong-tau Japanese name: Daizu Shape : Pods, narrow, flat, with somewhat convex sides. Size: Two inches long; one-half inch wide. Color: Green, very hairy. The plant is a native of China and Japan. It is a rather unusual Orient-grown vegetable. Unlike the snap bean, green soybeans are sold in their pods attached to the plant. The plants with their pod-laden branches are tied in bunches of 4 to 10. Each plant is UTILIZATION AND CO ^[POSITION OF OKIKNTAL VEGETABLES 43 about 15 inches long and lias very hairy stems and leaves. The pods also are hairy and are borne in clusters. Each pod contains three to four seeds. The soybean is an all-season crop in Hawaii. It makes its best growth, however, in April. It requires about 75 days from the date of planting to reach the green-pod stage. To cook plain, — Wash one-half pound fresh soybean pods, and boil until they are soft. Season with soy sauce and sugar, and serve in the pod. The beans are removed from the pods when eaten. Figure 38. — Soybeans White-Flowered Gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris; L. leucantha). (Fig. 39) Chinese name: Woo-lokwa Japanese name: Yugaho (Ugao) Shape: Cylindrical; tapering at stem end; has the appearance of a club. Size: Twelve to eighteen inches long; 2y 2 to 4 inches in diameter. When mature the gourd often attains a length of 3 to 4 feet and a diameter of 7 to 12 inches. Color : White to light yellowish green skin covered with fine hairs. The white-flowered gourd is indigenous to India. Such varieties as the dipper gourd, the sugar-trough gourd, and the Hercules club gourd also belong to this group. The white-flowered gourd is borne 44 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION on a musk-scented, hairy vine having ribbed stems and long tendrils. The leaves are large and velvety, 6 to 10 inches long and about as wide. The petiole is cylindrical and 3 to 6 inches long. The seeds are brown, long, and angled. The white-flowered gourd for market is picked while immature. The fruit becomes coarse and fibrous when it is allowed to remain too long on the vine. Figure 39. — White-flowered gourds To prepare soup. — Scrape the young, tender gourd and wash. Cut it in 2-inch squares about one-half inch thick. Prepare as directed for making soup from Chinese preserving melon (p. 35). Yard-long Beans (Vigna sesquipedalis) . (Fig. 40) Chinese name : Cheong dau-kok Japanese name: Juroku-sasage Shape: Pods, long, slender. Size: Twelve to thirty-six inches in length; five-sixteenths inch in diameter. Color: Light yellowish to dark green. The plant is an annual and is a native of southern Asia. It is also known as asparagus bean, and is closely related to the cowpea but UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF OMENTAL VEGETABLES 45 is readily distinguished from it by greatly elongated pods. The pods for market are picked before they become too coarse or tough. Yard-long beans are packed in bunches of 10 to 20. To cook with meat. — Break off and discard the ends of 15 yard- long bean pods, wash what remains of the beans well, and cut in 2 to 2!/2 inch lengths. Slice 1 pound lean beef or pork and mix it with 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and a little pepper. Put in heated pot IV2 teaspoons peanut oil, a little ginger and garlic, and 1 tea- spoon salt. Add the meat, stir, and fry for about half a minute. Add the beans and stir for another half min- ute. Then add one-half cup water and cook until the beans are tender. GROUP AQUATIC AND ROOT VEGETABLES Arrowhead ( Sagittaria sagittlfolia ) . (Fig. 41) Chinese name: Chee-koo (T'sz-ku) Japanese name : Kuwai Shape: Conns, cylindrical or slightly tapering at both ends, or flattened and ter- minated by an elongated sprout. Two to five lines encircling corm or rootstock. Size: One to one and one-half inches long; three-fourths to 1% inches wide. Color: Gray, bluish-gray, or yellowish skin ; light yellow or buff flesh, depending upon the variety. The arrowhead is a fleshy corm from a stoloniferous perennial hav- ing long petioles and leaves of arrow- head shape; hence the name. It grows in marshy or swampy areas. On the island of Oahu arrowhead has escaped cultivation and may be often seen in swamps associated with the bulrushes. Arrowhead is a prolific aquatic plant. A corm when planted will send out eight or more runners as soon as the root system is estab- lished. Each of these runners pro- duces a new corm at its end. Arrowhead when cut is yellow-buff, and has the consistency of sweetpotato. Each corm weighs one-half to 1 ounce. To prepare for the table. — Wash and pare one-half pound arrow- head; cut it in slices about three-sixteenths inch thick. Slice one- half pound lean pork and mix with 1 teaspoon cornstarch, a little pepper, and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Put in heated pot iy 2 teaspoons peanut oil, one-half teaspoon salt, 1 slice ginger; add the pork and Figure 40. — Yard-Ions beans 46 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION fry. Then add the arrowhead and stir vigorously for one minute. Add just enough water for gravy and cook over a slow fire until the Season and serve. vegetable is tender. Aeeowroot (Maranta arundinacea) . (Fig. 42) Chinese name : Chok-woo Shape: Fleshy, elongated rhizome with enlarged growing end; tapering toward basal end. Conspicuously crossed by encircling lines. Size: Four to eight inches long; 1 to l 1 /^ inches at the thick end. Color: Ivory skin; white flesh. Arrowroot is a perennial of South American origin and grows 2 to 3 feet high. The rhizome is very smooth, more or less covered with dry, scaly leaves at the time of harvest. Gardeners usually grow arrowroot for the production of starch for home consumption. Figure 41. — Arrowhead conns It is seldom found on the market because the demand for it is limited. Only young arrowroot which is not suitable for starch extraction finds its way to the market. The roots or rhizomes are washed and then boiled in salted water until they are tender. Arrow- root is prepared for the table like the sweetpotato. Chinese Taro (Colocasia esculenta) . (Fig. 43) Chinese name: Bun-long-woo Shape: Corms, cylindrical, more or less tapering at basal end. Size: Four to twelve inches in length ; 3 to 6 inches in diameter ; weight, 1 to 12 pounds. Color: Skin, brown to gray, coarse, with or without dark, loose fiber. Flesh, white, with conspicuous coarse fiber distributed through interior of corm. The Chinese taro is like the common Hawaiian varieties in shape, color, and texture. It is, however, much larger and possesses a dis- UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 47 FiGUitE '12. — Arrowroot Figure- 43. — Chinese taro 48 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION" tinct aroma when cooked. The individual corm from which the leaf- stalk has been closely severed is marketed. To serve with meat. — Peel one medium-sized taro root; wash and cut it in 2-inch squares. Slice 1 pound corned pork or ham. Put in heated pot 2 teaspoons peanut oil, a little onion, and the meat. Stir mixture and fry for one-half minute ; then acid 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Add taro and enough water to cover. Cook until taro is thoroughly done. To use in steamed pudding. — Prepare taro as directed above. Cook until tender in water to which a little salt has been added. When cool slice it thinly. Chop finely 1 pound of lean pork and mix with 1 teaspoon cornstarch, a little pepper, and soy sauce. Chop finely a little ham or bacon. Wash and chop finely a handful of dried shrimp meat. Put in heated pot 2 teaspoons peanut oil, 1 tea- spoon salt, and a little onion. Add the pork, shrimp, and ham, and fry until brown. Make a batter of flour, a little salt, and some water. Mix the taro and the cooked ingredients into the batter. Pour mixture in greased pans and steam until done. Garlic (Allium sativum) Chinese name : Shin-tau Japanese name: Nin-niku Shape: Bulbs, circular with flattened end and raised tip; ridged or ribbed and covered with thin silky skin. Size: One and one-half to two inches in diameter; one-half to 2y 2 inches in length. Odor: Strong; penetrating. Garlic is a segmented bulb resembling in some respects an onion, but is smaller and longitudinally ribbed. The bulblet when removed from the mass is angular and inclosed in a thin, silky pink or white skin. The fleshy portion is white and about 1 to iy 2 inches long. Garlic is not grown commercially in Hawaii, but is imported from the mainland and the Orient. Two distinct sizes are frequently seen. The larger size comes from California, and the smaller from China. This condiment, like ginger, is largely used in oriental cookery. The addition of a little chopped garlic and hot peanut oil to vegetables imparts to them a pleasant flavor when cooked. Garlic is probably a native of southern China. Ginger (Zingiber officinale). (Fig. 44) Chinese name : Keong Japanese name : Shoga Shape: Rootstock, irregular, enlarged, flattened out, clustered. Size: Four to twelve inches long; iy 2 to 2 inches thick. Color: Yellow to light-gray skin ; cream to yellow flesh. Odor: Aromatic; characteristic of ginger. Ginger is a condiment which is marketed in tw T o forms, one with the leafstalks attached and the other with the leafstalks removed. The former is harvested at five months while immature and is in great demand by the Japanese. It is sold in small bunches contain- ing two to four " hands " and is bright canary yellow. The latter form is the rootstock which has been permitted to grow to maturity, UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 49 at which time the top growth withers. The matured ginger, both island grown and imported, is generally marketed in large, woven bamboo baskets. Ginger is a favorite ingredient in many oriental dishes. When frying is done, place a slice or two of ginger about one-eighth inch thick in the pan. Add garlic also if desired. In the Hawaiian Islands considerable ginger is grown for local consumption. The islands of Maui, Hawaii, and Oahu occasionally produce it in sufficient quantities for export to the mainland. -*■ ^jl ' — -^m w % i 4 ei> •^ ^^i K^^y ^^^^M i^- ^ B (£ m ^""^*W ■>4 ^'HfT? f. Figure 44. — Ginger Locally and on the mainland the fresh roots are used in the manu- facture of ginger ale. The crop matures at seven months. It is usually harvested in May. Great Burdock (Arctium lappa, Lappa major, L. edulis). (Fig. 45) Chinese name: Ngau-pong Japanese name: Gobo Shape: Root, long, cylindrical, tapering at end. Size: One to four feet long; one-fourth to lty inches thick. Color: Skin, brown to gray : flesh, white. Texture: Coarse and fibrous. Great burdock is normally a biennial with large, broad, cordate leaves, and long petioles, but it is grown as an annual. It is a native 74123°— 29 1 50 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION of Europe and Asia. Great burdock is found on the market in two forms. In one form the young roots are sold with the entire foliage attached and in the other form the large roots are sold with the foliage detached. The former is usually the result of thinning the cultivated stand and the latter is the fully grown root. Both forms for market are tied in bundles and have moistened soil adhering to the roots. The burdock-growing section on Oahu is largely confined to the head of the Manoa, Pauoa, and Palolo Valleys. The growing period for the matured root is 10 months, although immature plants Figure 45. — Great burdock are harvested about 50 days after planting when it is desired to thin the stand. To serve as flavored gobo {burdock). — Scrape roots of four me- dium-sized burdocks well ; cut them in 2-inch lengths. Soak them in water for two hours; then boil until they are soft; drain. Place on meat block or chopping board and pound each piece lightly sev- eral times (avoid smashing) ; then place them on plates. Wash 1 tablespoon of sesame and toast it slightly in frying pan ; then place while warm in mortar and grind fine. Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sugar, mix, and pour over the plate of boiled gobo (burdock roots) ; serve. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 51 Japanese Taro {Colocasia esculent a). (Fig. 46) Chinese name: Woo-chai Japanese name: Ko-inio Shape: Corms, vary from round to. oblong. Size: Two to three inches long; l 1 /^ to 2 inches in diameter. Color: Skin, coarse, dark gray or gray with traces of purple with loose dark or gray fiber; llesh, white or pink (7, p. 'i~>~>. ) Ko-imo is the general name applied to three or more varieties of Japanese taro belonging to the dasheen group. Ko-imo means Figure 46. — Japanese taro " small tuber," and refers especially to the young cormels of the Miyako, Aka-do, and Tru-no-ko varieties, which are extensively grown in Haw r aii. The varieties are either white or pink-fleshed. Usually the corms, or oya-imo, and the cormels of the pink variety are edible, the corms of the white variety are edible but not palatable, and only the cormels of the white variety are preferred. The Japanese vegetable vendors usually keep a supply of pared or scraped taros for the convenience of regular purchasers. These taros may be found submerged in water in a container and should not be mistaken for some other vegetable. 52 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION" To cook plain. — Peel and wash 1 pound Japanese taro, cut in con- venient sizes, and boil for seven minutes. Drain; and boil again with 3 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon sugar until thoroughly cooked. Kudzu (Pueraria thunbergiana, P. Tdrsuta, Dollchos japonlca). (Fig. 47) Chinese name: Fan-kot Japanese name : Kudzu Shape: Root, large; tapering, or irregular. Size: Five to twenty-four inches in length ; 3 to 18 inches in diameter. Color : Straw-colored to light-brown skin ; white flesh. Figure 47. — Kudzu The kudzu root resembles somewhat the sweetpotato in general conformation, but has very coarse, tough skin, and fibrous flesh. Some of the roots grow to great size, but only the smaller roots are used for the table. Choice starch can be extracted from the kudzu root. The plant is a hairy, twining perennial which grows 30 to 60 feet long. It is sold by seedsmen as an arbor plant. It is a native of China and Japan. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 53 Lotus Root (X dumb 'nan )i dumbo). (Fig. 48) Chinese name: Lin-ngau Japanese name: Ilasii-no-ne Shape: Root divided into segments resembling links of sausage; individual links oblong. Size: Two to four feet in length, 2y 2 to 3Vi inches in diameter; individual segment or link 3 to 6 inches long. Color: White to buff orange throughout. Interior: Cross section of segment is perforated with 10 canals of two sizes, the smaller alternating with the larger. Lotus root is one of the unique vegetables of the Orient and is not closely related to any other vegetable. It is a productive aquatic crop and is in great demand. Large quan- tities of the roots are shipped to the United States to supply the demand of the oriental population from San Fran- cisco to Xew York City. In Hawaii the lotus root is har- vested from July to November. Parts of the root are allowed to remain ungathered at the last harvest to send forth new plants about the following Feb- ruary. The lotus root is also known as and is indigenous India, and Persia. To prepare for soup. — Cut off and discard the ends of each joint of two medium-sized lotus roots; wash and scrape. Cut the roots lengthwise into halves; then slice crosswise in V2-inch lengths and wash again. Slice thinly 1 pound lean pork and mix with 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, and a little pepper. Boil 1 quart water and add 1 teaspoon salt, the pork mix- ture, and the lotus, and cook over a slow fire until tender. To serve with beef or pork. — Prepare in the same way as directed for yard-long bean (p. 44), but quarter the lotus lengthwise and slice thinly. " the sacred lotus " to China, Figure 48. — Lotus root 54 BULLETIN" 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION Oriental Radish (Raphanus sativus longipinnatus). (Fig. 49A) Chinese name : Loh-bak choi Japanese name: Daikon Shape: Roots, spherical, oblong, cylindrical. Size: Three to twenty-four inches in length; 2 to 6 inches in diameter. Color: White. The radish, commonly known as oriental radish, is a native of China and Japan, and is the most conspicuous root vegetable 8 on the Figure 49. — Oriental radishes : A, Japanese radishes or daikon ; B, turnips market. It is in season throughout the year. Three distinct types or varieties — spherical, oblong, and cylindrical — are grown locally. The oblong variety, which does not exceed 4 inches in length and about 2 inches in width, is preferred by the Chinese; whereas the large, long, and round roots are preferred by the Japanese. The 8 Botanieally, the portion of the radish designated by common usage as " root " is the lower part of the stem with the taproot, UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 55 small variety is marketed in bunches of 4 to G roots, and the larger variety in bunches of 1 to 4, depending upon size of each root. To cool- with miso sauce (Japanese style). — Peel and slice root crosswise in 1-inch lengths; wash roots and boil until they are tender. Add miso sauce while they are still hot. The miso sauce is prepared by grinding miso in a bowl and adding grated ginger, soup stock, and sugar gradually, mixing thoroughly. The Chinese prepare the oriental radish by peeling, washing, and slicing thinly as directed for arrowhead. Turnip (Brass ica rapa). (Fig. 49B) Chinese name: Mu-clring Japanese name : Kabura Shape: Root, flattened to globular. Size: One and three-fourths to two and one-fourth inches high; 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Color: White or traced with purple. The turnip is somewhat like the Japanese radish in appearance, and bears only a few thin rootlets on the slender taproot. Very often turnips for market are sold in bunches from which the taproots have been trimmed off. The leaves are narrow, 8 to 12 inches long, soft, and somewhat pubescent. The young turnips with tops attached are marketed also as greens. The turnip is prepared for the table like Japanese radish and arrowhead. Water Chestnut (Scirpus tuoerosus) . (Fig. 50) Chinese name : Ma-tai Japanese name : Kuro-Kuwai Shape: Corms, spherical or globular with flattened base and rounded top; firm and turgid. Size: Seven-eighths to one inch by l 1 ^ to l x /- 2 inches in diameter. Color: Dull to glossy brown or ebony skin ; white flesh. Taste: Flat, starchy. Water chestnuts are seasonal roots which are found on the local markets from about July until late September. They usually are kept in mat-woven bags or bamboo baskets alongside vegetable stands. Water chestnuts are also imported into Hawaii from China. These are like the locally grown product except that they are sweet. and partly wrinkled from the loss of moisture. The water chestnut is a favorite ingredient in numerous Chinese dishes (^, p. 15). The chestnuts are pared, and sliced thinly and mixed with sliced bamboo shoots or with edible-podded peas, and the like. Yam {Dioseorca oatatas). (Fig. 51) Chinese name : Tai-sue Japanese name : Naga-imo Shape: Roots, cylindrical, oblong, straight, or irregular. Size: Six to eighteen inches in length; 2 to 6 indies in diameter. Color: Skin gray to dark without and purple within; flesh white. The yam, also known as "Chinese yam," "Chinese potato.'* and u cinnamon-vine," is commonly grown by the oriental farmers. It is 56 BULLETIN" 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION JL ; I* | I I I I | | | I I | I | || | II | I | || | | M I | l| | | I | I j |] I j s li 2 81 41 Si. Figure 50. — Water chestnuts Figure 51. — Yams UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 57 an enlarged rootstock which somewhat resembles the sweetpotato in general appearance. To cook plain. — Peel and wash. Slice in 2-inch squares one-fourth inch thick, and prepare as directed for arrowhead. Yam Beax Root {Pachyrhizus erosus, P. tuberoaus, P. angulatus). (Fig, 52) Chinese name : Sar-gott Figure 52. — Yam bean roots Shape: Root turnip shaped, flattened, or elongated. Size: Four to six inches long; 3 to 4y 2 inches across. Color: Skin, straw yellow ; flesh, white. The yam bean root is like the turnip in shape, has a rather tough skin with the texture and the color of the kudzu, and in consistency resembles the white potato. The flesh is sweet and of pleasant flavor. To cook plain. — Cut and discard the ends and rip off the skin. Wash and quarter ; then slice thinly crosswise. Prepare as directed for arrowhead. COMPOSITION Although the composition of a few of the more common vege- tables of oriental origin has been determined, the food value of many is still unknown. In view of the fact that these vegetables form 58 BULLETIN" 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION" the basis of the dietary of a large part of the inhabitants of Hawaii, it is desirable that their chemical composition be known. A pre- vious publication of the station (11) pointed out the desirability of using more locally grown vegetables in the diet. Chemical analyses at the station of 56 different fresh vegetables of oriental origin show that they are as rich in all the necessary food and mineral constituents as are vegetables grown on the mainland of the United States. Although such factors as vitamin content, digestibility, and quality of protein- have not as yet been determined, it is probably safe to assume that, in a general way, the various groups of vege- tables of oriental origin are equivalent in these respects to similar groups of the better-known vegetables for which these factors have been determined. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS The nutritive constituents were determined by methods outlined by the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (2). Of the ash constituents, calcium was determined volumetrically by the method outlined by Patten (10). Phosphorus was estimated volu- metrically by the usual method. In the determination of iron, a comparatively large sample, at least 10 grams, was ashed and the ash digested in the water bath with dilute sulphuric acid for several hours, or until solution occurred. Reduction was effected by means of a Jones reductor, and the iron was titrated with 0.02 n potassium permanganate. Alkalinity of ash was determined by dissolving the ash in» a measured excess of O'.l n hydrochloric acid, warming the solution sufficiently to expel the carbonic acid, and titrating the excess acid. Analyses were made of vegetables grown in the vicinity of Hono- lulu, and procured fresh either from markets or from near-by truck farms. The sample used in each instance varied from 1 to 3 pounds. Analysis was made of the edible portion only. In most instances, however, the entire vegetable as purchased was edible. LEAFY AND STEM VEGETABLES This group of vegetables varies from those with thin, green leaves and small steins or petioles, to those with thick, succulent, and often white leaves and a relatively large proportion of thick fleshy stems, or sometimes no leaves at all. It is generally true that the thin, green-leaf types are much richer in the different con- stituents than are the white-leaf or fleshy-stem types. The former, however, are often characterized by a more pronounced, somewhat astringent taste, for which reason they are usually discarded in favor of the milder-flavored, fleshy-stem, and blanched-leaf sorts. In general, the leafy and stem vegetables are characterized by high water content, correspondingly low energy value, and high content of all the minerals, particularly of calcium and iron. They are the best source of the antiscorbutic vitamin C, and in many instances a good source of vitamins A and B. Because of their succulence, the vegetables of this group add materially to the bulk of the meal. By reason of their low energy value, they may be used in small or large quantities without materially altering the desired intake of carbohydrates and proteins. This group is valuable in the forma- UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 59 tion of balanced dietaries with respect to mineral constituents and vitamins. Table 1 gives the nutritive constituents and mineral elements of 30 leafy and stem vegetables grown in the vicinity of Honolulu. Table 1. — Percentage composition I nutritive constituents and mineral elements) and ash alkalinity of 30 leaf if and stem vegetables grown in the vicinity of Honolulu Kind of material Bamboo shoots * Bean sprout (large) Bean sprout (small) Butterbur Cabbage: Chinese, heading Chinese, nonheading... Chinese, leaf-mustard... Potherb mustard White mustard, flower- ing Japanese white mus- tard White mustard, stout.. Swamp Chives Dandelion greens 3 Garland chrysanthemum... Greens: Radish Turnip Honewort Kale Lettuce Malabar nightshade Matrimony- vine i Spinach: Chinese Common Swiss chard Taro shoots Taro stalks... Tender fern fronds Water cress Water dropwort Nutritive constituents 93.08 82.40 93.77 92.70 96.04 94.63 94.22 95.24 93.68 95.62 95.12 92.26 91.22 94.01 93.54 91.62 89.53 91.24 95.94 94.92 84.60 92.30 93.40 92.17 95.39 93.20 91.28 94.86 92.76 s .c 7t fe 1.84 0.13 7.62 1.07 2.52 .08 .39 .04 1.58 .05 1.20 .09 1.99 .07 1.53 .06 2.07 .14 1.55 .06 1.37 .08 1.94 .14 2.60 .33 2.40 1.00 1.78 .12 1.77 .09 1.81 .11 2.33 .23 2.82 .21 .97 .11 1.37 .14 4.55 .46 1.68 .12 2.12 .08 1.45 .18, .92 .091 .79 .13 1.02 .08 2.00 .11 1.59 .11 Carbo- hvdrates I! 3.17 6.71 2.98 4.11 1.61 2.14 1.90 1.51 1.94 1.21 1.72 3.31 3.09 10.60. 2.02 2.25 3.22 4.37 2.94 1.56 1.75 5.89 3.22 2.27 3.09 2.17 3.52 5.59 1.28 3.14 Mineral elements 1.01 .86 .34 1.30 I .50 .73 .65 .65 0.77 0.005 0.044 0.0007 1.34 .31 1.46 1.21 1.17 1.01 .029 .007 .103 .037 .102 .084 .070 85 1.31 109 .47 1.13 1.48 1.10 1.24 1.22 1.28 .90 1. 61 1.45 1. 35 1.89 1.45 2.09 1.05 1.74 .58 .84 .58 1.24 1.31 3.19 .99 1.69 .63 1. 50 .87 2.24 .58 .85 1.44 . 92 1.45 .58 .64 1.11 1.07 1.33 .121 .096 .077 .048 .105 .040 .116 .227 .114 .195 .028 .030 .315 .102 .055 .100 .013 .066 .008 .085 .023 .0026 .038 .0007 .012 .0038 .057 .0008 .051 .0047 .046 .0035 .038 .0031 .062 .0031 .037' .0018 .025 .0022 .064 .0032 .057 .0084 .072 .045 .017 .053 .0022 .067 .0058 7.7 16.4 4.0 14.3 6.0 7.9 12.2 11.2 10.7 13.9 9.9 14.3 12.6 0027 0036 13. 2 14.9 17.1 .038 .0036 .069 .0028 .061 .0149 23.9 .060 .0035 17.7 .022 .0030 .0.57 .0040 6.8 18.7 .048 .029 .035 .00W 27.0 .043 .0212 22.7 .024 .0043 24.6 .030 .0017 .032 .0101 ,0015 10.5 13.6 5.5 11.7 11.0 1 Expressed as cubic centimeters of normal acid solution required to neutralize excess of base per 100 grams of fresh vegetable. 2 Outer sheaths removed. 3 12, pp. iH, IfiS. * Leaves only. Although the group as a whole is comparatively rich in calcium, the bamboo shoots, small bean sprouts, taro shoots, and tender fern fronds, all of which may be termed ••immature stems."' are decidedly low in this element. Large bean sprouts show a decidedly different composition from that of other members of the group, being ex- ceptionally high in protein, fat. and carbohydrates. The cotyledons are relatively large as compared with the sprout, which fact ac- counts for the high protein and energy value. The cabbage samples, Xos. 5 to 12, inclusive, are characterized by high water content and comparatively low protein and energy value. With the exception 60 BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION of heading Chinese cabbage, the cabbages are rich sources of cal- cium. The superiority of the green-leaf, nonheading Chinese cab- bage over the blanched, heading variety is marked. Both radish and turnip greens stand out as rich sources of calcium. This is also true of kale. Of the spinaches, the Chinese variety is superior in calcium but inferior in iron. Both have a decided excess of basic elements. Two vegetables of the group, honewort and matrimony- vine, would seem to deserve a more important rank among the orien- tal vegetables than they now have. These vegetables contain appre- ciable amounts of protein and energy. They are also rich in the different mineral constituents. Matrimony-vine particularly is out- standing. It contains nearly twice as much of the mineral con- stituents, except phosphorus, as does any other vegetable in the group. FRUIT AND POD VEGETABLES This group is divided into two types, the fleshy vegetables and the pod vegetables. The fleshy vegetables are generally characterized by high water content and low protein and energy value. They are among the poorest in mineral value and are chiefly valued for their succulence. The fresh-pod vegetables are important sources of pro- tein and to a less extent of energy. Table 2 gives the nutritive con- stituents and mineral elements of the more important oriental fleshy and pod vegetables in Hawaii. Table 2. — Percentage composition (nutritive constituents and mineral elements) and ash alkalinity of seven fleshy and five pod vegetables grown in the vicinity of Honolulu Kind of material Fleshy vegetables: Balsam-pear Gourd — Dishcloth White flowered Eggplant, dwarf Melon — Chinese preserving, immature C hinese preserving, mature Oriental, pickling.. Pod vegetables: Beans— Goaa Soy 3 Yard-long 2 Cowpeas Peas, edible-podded . . . 89.20 95.91 94. 96 93.37 95.80 96.20 96.82 91.56 70.86 90.64 89.18 Nutritive constituents .77 .63 1.14 .47 2.26 12.71 2.94 2.97 3.33 0.12 .05 .04 .05 02 .02 2.16 .15 Carbo- hydrates 5.71 2.22 3.38 4.05 2.69 2.24 1.81 4.07 11.36 4.11 5.86 6.10 Mineral elements 56 1.39 1.33 1.42 1.22 1.06 .45 .70 1.58 .74 .69 .75 1.80 0.022 .42 .005 . 43 . 007 .54 .010 .011 .015 .006 063 ,047 . 057 . 037 . 043 0.107 .020 .020 .034 0.0024 0008 0017 .025 .0006 .021 .006 .048 .189 .051 .052 .062 .0024 .0006 0047 .0049 .0032 22.90 3.80 5.20 6.30 5.30 5.30 3.80 8.40 16.70 10.70 10.40 8.20 » Expressed as cubic centimeters of normal acid solution required to neutralize excess of base per 100 grams of fresh vegetable. 3 Pods included in sample. 3 Pods removed. UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 61 Balsam-pear differs from the rest of the fleshy group in mineral composition. It is exceptionally rich in phosphorus and base- forming elements. The others are uniformly low in the various con- stituents. Of the pod vegetables, the soybean is markedly superior, being exceptionally high in protein, fat, carbohydrate, and phos- phorus, with good quantities of the other constituents. The fact that the quality of the protein in the soybean is higher than in any other known vegetable adds to its importance as a source of this constituent in the oriental dietary. The other members of the group are similar in their composition. Though not outstanding in any particular these vegetables are well balanced in all food constituents. AQUATIC AND ROOT VEGETABLES The aquatic and starchy root vegetables serve primarily as sources of carbohydrates. Since a large proportion of the constituents re- quired to maintain the body consists of carbohydrates, some of the vegetables of this group usually form the basis of the average dietary. The nonstarchy roots differ radically from the starchy group, and are unimportant as sources of energy. Their carbohydrate content is as low as that of the most succulent leafy vegetables. They function chiefly in providing bulk to aid digestion. The aquatic vegetables are not as high in carbohydrates as are most of the starchy roots, but they are comparatively high in protein. Very poor in calcium, they are generally rich sources of phosphorus. Table 3 gives the nutritive constituents and mineral elements of the aquatic and root vegetables of oriental origin. Table 3. — Percentage composition (nutritive constituents and mineral elements) and ash alkalinity of 4 aquatic and 10 root vegetables grown in the vicinity of Honolulu Kind of material £ •*-5 'o Nutritive constituents Mineral elements