Tips

Super fast way to peel green bamboo shoots, did you know?

This secret helps you peel green mangoes five times faster.

21 February, 2024

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The green bamboo shoot fever has not shown any signs of cooling off in recent days, closing orders in just a few minutes is no longer available for purchase. Peeled green bamboo shoots are already expensive, about 600,000 VND/kg. Meanwhile, whole green bamboo shoots are much cheaper, only about 120,000 VND/kg.

Clearly, if you want to try eating green bamboo shoots, buying the ones with the peel intact is definitely a more economical choice. The reason why peeled green bamboo shoots are expensive is because the peeling process is very labor-intensive, time-consuming, and also wasteful of water due to the high resin content of this fruit.

In this article, we will share with you the quick and easy tips on how to peel green bamboo shoots, with just one knife stroke!

Mastering the secret, peeling bamboo shoots becomes super simple (Photo: Hoa Mẩu)

Note: You should choose green bamboo shoots with round, smooth, and unblemished skins; and avoid choosing small green bamboo shoots because the flesh of such shoots is not worth much.

One-stroke technique for peeling green bamboo shoots

Here is everything you need: 1 chopping board, 1 sharp knife, and 1 long-handled stainless steel spoon. You should place the chopping board under the faucet, both to peel the green bamboo shoots and to rinse off some of the resin that oozes from the skin, to prevent the bamboo shoot flesh from becoming bitter and discolored.

Instead of peeling each layer of the green bamboo shoot, you should confidently slice the bamboo shoot horizontally in half like this.

Cutting the green bamboo shoot in half (Gif: @nguyen_khanh_ly_2023)

When you have cut it in half, the flesh edges of each bamboo shoot segment will become clearly visible. At this point, you use the spoon handle to pry into each bamboo shoot segment. When the segments are separated from the skin, gently lift the spoon and half of the bamboo shoot pulp will be detached.

There you go! (Gif: @nguyen_khanh_ly_2023)

Ladies, you see, peeling bamboo shoots this way will be much faster. You can wear gloves during the process if you are afraid the bamboo resin will stick to your hands.

How to prepare green bamboo shoots to avoid discoloration

If you manage to extract the flesh of the green bamboo shoot but don’t know how to prepare it, the bamboo shoots will quickly turn discolored and unattractive. To prevent the bamboo shoots from discoloring, prepare a basin of ice-cold water and 1-2 lemons. Squeeze the lemon juice into the basin of ice water and then submerge the green bamboo shoot flesh in it, soak for about 15 minutes before removing to drain.

The raw bamboo shoots are immersed in cold water with squeezed lemon juice to avoid discoloration (Photo: Phạm Thị Thúy Trâm)

Green bamboo shoots are usually used for mixing salads. The bamboo shoot slices need to be thinly cut, if they are too thin, they won’t have a good taste, if they are too thick, they won’t absorb the seasoning when mixing the salad.

You can refer to how to make chicken and green bamboo shoot salad here.

According to Vietnamese Women

Frequently asked questions

A super-fast way to peel green bamboo shoots is to use a knife to cut off the tough outer layer, and then use a vegetable peeler to peel off the thin, papery inner skin. This method is much quicker and easier than traditional methods, and results in perfectly peeled bamboo shoots.

Peeling bamboo shoots removes the tough, fibrous outer layer that is difficult to chew and digest. It also gets rid of any bitter or astringent flavors, revealing the sweet and tender inner shoots.

Bamboo shoots are typically cooked before being eaten. They can be boiled, steamed, stir-fried, or pickled. Boiling and steaming are simple methods that help to soften the shoots and make them more palatable. Stir-frying adds a crispy texture and is a popular way to cook bamboo shoots in many Asian dishes. Pickling is also an option, which can extend the shelf life of bamboo shoots and add a tangy flavor.

Yes, bamboo shoots are a good source of dietary fiber, which can aid digestion and promote a healthy gut. They also contain antioxidants, which can help to protect the body against disease and cell damage. Additionally, bamboo shoots are low in calories and fat, making them a healthy and nutritious food choice.

Yes, you can store fresh bamboo shoots in the refrigerator for up to a week. It is best to wrap them in a paper towel and then place them in a plastic bag to maintain moisture and freshness. Canned or pickled bamboo shoots can also be purchased, which have a longer shelf life and are convenient for future use.