Recently picked up reading an enlightening book called The Japan Diet. This book extols the wisdom behind traditional Japanese style of eating in getting healthier, and slimmer. One of the first healthy vegetables it talks about is the sweet potato --- to landscapers, Midnight Lace. And to regular housewives, kamote tops.
The Britons have taken to including this in their grocery list such that it is now known as the trendiest veggie in Britain. Here's why:
"A leading consumer group, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, calls them 'a nutritional All-Star: one of the best vegetables you can eat and 'loaded with carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium and fibre'.
...celebrated by chefs...and praised by dieticians. 'Due to their antioxidant and fibre content, they are protective against heart disease and cancer'...'The high levels of phytochemicals and beta-carotene also protect the eye from disorders like macular degeneration.'
...'apart from its unique and nutty taste much of the sweet potato's popularity stems from it being delicious and filling but low in fat making it a dieter's dream.'
Well, who would ever thought that this 'lowly' vegetable is an All-Star, fare all too common here in the Philippines, blanched shoots served as ensalada topped with fresh tomatoes, chopped onions, and bagoong (fermented fish paste). I say lowly because in days of yore when our grandfathers did poorly in school, their teachers would tell them to 'just go home and plant kamote' which meant the teacher saw you as dim-witted and that it was more productive of you to do some farm activity than remain in school.
I feel so blessed having these thriving in my backyard. Fact is, we have regularly harvested its shoots that we may have fresh produce on the dinner table. But now after what i have read, i appreciate them all the more.
