Why aren't arrowroots sold in Ireland?

mr_fegelien

They are popular in Africa but so far, I haven't seen them here. They are very delicious IMO.

Marcusm

Used to be very popular in my granny’s house.

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/254922614

Speedsie

Marcusm wrote: »

Used to be very popular in my granny’s house.

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/254922614

I recall back in the day asking a young one in Quinsworth where the arrowroot was hiding. She brought me to the biscuit aisle, which confused me greatly as I was looking for ground arrowroot.

This sort of stuff:

the beer revolu

I'm guessing that you are talking about cassava.
This is readily available in African food shops and specialist veg shops.

Dizzyblonde

Speedsie wrote: »

I recall back in the day asking a young one in Quinsworth where the arrowroot was hiding. She brought me to the biscuit aisle, which confused me greatly as I was looking for ground arrowroot.

This sort of stuff:

It's used in the same way as cornflour, to thicken. I doesn't make the sauce cloudy like cornflour does so it's great for sweet sauces

Speedsie

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

It's used in the same way as cornflour, to thicken. I doesn't make the sauce cloudy like cornflour does so it's great for sweet sauces

Yep, that's exactly the reason I was looking for it. Arrowroot biscuits just wouldn't cut the mustard in that respect!

looksee

A number of plant roots are called Arrowroot, so it depends a bit on which one you mean. Canna roots are sometimes called Arrowroot, and they certainly grow in Ireland, though I doubt they are sold in greengrocers. Strictly though its Maranta arundinacea that is actually Arrowroot - some Marantas are houseplants but I imagine the edible one is different.

Its worth checking out specialist Asian food stores but you might be disappointed - things like pawpaws that grow to the size of rugby balls (well nearly) in the tropics are tiny little things here, and bananas are just bananas, you would not imagine what a range there is really. On the other hand there are things that grow here that are less successful in parts of Africa.

tangy

Once upon a time, I was given a recipe for onion gravy made with red wine and arrowroot:

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Red Wine Onion Gravy

Slice some onion, sweat it gently in olive oil until very soft.
Mix 1 teaspoon of arrowroot in 4 tablespoons of red wine, and add to the onions.
Stir for 2-3 minutes.
Take 6-8 tablespoons of strong beef stock (half of a good quality beef stock cube in that much boiling water works well) and add 1 tablespoon tomato purée.
Add to the onions, stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.
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It's based very loosely on a recipe whose origins we've long since forgotten - it's scrawled in the cover of one of our oldest and tattiest recipe book. Quantities are as variable as you like.

Thanks to Steven G Richards.

I made it once, and it was good, and I don't know why I never made it again. The arrowroot's still here