INGREDIENTS
I can of Chickpeas, rinsed thoroughly
1/2 kg Kilkas
2 large Onions
1/2 cup Tahini
1 Lemon juice and 1 bitter Orange juice, if available
4 tbsp. Olive Oil
Salt to taste
METHOD
Start by peeling the kilkas while protecting your hands with gloves. The skin is a bit tough and you will need a sharp knife. Peel until you get a firm white flesh.
Cut into cubes or lengthwise, rinse again under runny water.
Add Kilkas to a cooking pan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer until roots are tender.
In a pan, heat 2 tbsp. olive oil and fry the kilkas until golden. Place on kitchen paper.
Heat the remaining oil in a saucepan and fry the sliced onions until soft and have a golden brown color.
Add the fried kilkas to the onions, season with salt and pepper, stir to mix, then add the chickpeas and give it a good stir to spread all the aroma together. Pour warm water to cover the ingredients. On low heat cook for 10 minutes then uncover and keep cooking for another 5 minutes until the kilkas become tender but not mushy and have absorbed most of the liquid.
Add the prepared tahini (mixed with the lemon, you can add some water to make it a bit runny), wait till it bubbles and the sauce becomes thick, gives it 3 to 4 minutes more before you switch off the heat.
Serve at room temperature.
Some information about the Taro (Kilkas) plant…
The Taro plant is considered toxic due to the calcium oxalate crystals. Though we can minimize the effect of oxalate by cooking with a pinch of baking soda. It can also be reduced by soaking the taro in cold water overnight and washing it thoroughly before cooking.
Calcium oxalate is highly insoluble and contributes to kidney stones. It is best to consume milk or other calcium-rich food together with taro.
The small-sized taros are much tenderer, and it is a good source of copper, manganese, omega 3, omega 6, potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and magnesium.
Taro grows on the Mediterranean coast. In Lebanon, it has a slightly oblong shape and somehow small size which turns tender while cooking.
