‘Inca Red’ is a distinct but very flavoursome tubersome vegetable that is not a household name in the UK, but is very widely grown in South America, for its crunch and pear-like, sweet taste that lends itself well to that region’s culinary cuisine. Not too dissimilar to a potato, but with a texture like water chestnuts, add to stir fries, salads or roast with other root veg like parsnips and potatoes. Its juice can even be simmered to make a syrup not too far off honey or maple, while its natural indigestible sugar contents called Inulin make it suitable for diabetics, remaining pretty much calory free along the way. Grows with a bushy habit, with gorgeous looking harvests while its big luscious leaves will bring an Amazonian feel to vegetable beds or even plant borders. Height: 1.8m (6′). Spread: 100cm (39″).
Growing Information
Grow plugs on in cool but frost-free conditions and plant out when all danger of frost has passed.
Plant outside in late May allowing 90cm (36”) between each plant. Cut the leaves back to about 4 inches above the crowns and lift whole plant with a fork. Separate the crowns from the tubers. The crowns are frost tender – pot up and grow on in a frost-free place to plant early next year. Brush the soil off tubers and leave in sun to dry for up to two weeks.
