"NEW" LEAFY VEGETABLE

Lalith Gunasekera Keith Turnbull Research Institute (KTRI), Frankston

One of the worst aquatic and terrestrial weeds in the world , alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) was first reported in Access to Asian Vegetables (Issue 8, April 1998). In this issue we will update you on the progress of the replacement vegetable program in Victoria. Alligator weed declared noxious in all Australian states has been mistakenly used by the Sri Lankan community in Australia as a leafy vegetable since the 1960's.

The eradication program began in 1997 with the introduction of a replacement vegetable plant playing a key role to the success of the program. Two Australian natives, Alternanthera nodiflora (common joyweed) and Alternanthera denticulata (lesser joyweed) have been evaluated. A. nodiflora was found from a compost mixture in Gosford, NSW in early 1997.

A. nodiflora grown commercially, Lara

A. nodiflora bunched up for sale

A. denticulata seeds were collected locally. Both cultivars were planted in a glasshouse at KTRI and studied. A. nodiflora showed higher growth rate, more foliage and tasted better. In October 1998, with the assistance of Stephen Moore of the Department of Natural Resources, Geelong and an Asian vegetable grower a new program was developed to produce A. nodiflora commercially.

Nutritional value of A. nodiflora Protein 12% Fibre 12.8% Moisture 70% Nitrogen 1.2% Phosphorus 3.7% Potassium 3.7% Calcium 0.38% Iron (mg/kg) 120 Copper(mg/kg) 15 Manganese(mg/kg) 310

Sales figures (bunches) in Melbourne over February to early March 1999: Feb. 1-7 50 Feb. 8-14 100 Feb. 15-21 150 Feb. 22-28 350 March 1-7 750

Cut bunches of A. nodiflora have been introduced into the markets since early February 1999. Asian vegetable shops and Sri Lankan grocery shops were targeted in Springvale, Dandenong, Reservoir, Hampton Park, Broadmeadows, Clayton and Moorabbin. The new vegetable known as Australian "Mukunuwenna/Poonangani" sold very quickly.

For further information, contact Lalith Gunasekera on (03) 9785 0111.

Snake/Yardlong Beans (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis)

Snake/Yardlong beans, also known as "dau gok" in Chinese and " dâu que" in Vietnamese, are a climbing annual growing to 3-4m. The leaves are trifoliate with large, pale blue flowers. The pods hang in pairs and are 30-90cm long. They are narrow, round and stringless; pale or dark green in colour.

There are two types of snake beans: dwarf (bush) type and the climbing type which takes longer to come into production but produces for a longer period. Snake beans are for areas with very warm summers. Night temperatures should not drop below 18°C. It can be sown all year in the Northern Territory (NT). It tolerates acid soil and can be grown in relatively poor soil and areas with very low rainfall.

In the NT, seeds are sown 2cm deep into rows. Climbing beans are planted 20-60cm apart with 75-100cm between rows. Dwarf beans are planted 10cm apart with 40-50cm between rows. In temperate climates snake beans can be grown up strings. Several plants can climb up the same support but in warm climates, where growth is much more vigorous, strong supports like climbing fences or trellis work would be needed.

In every 100g of young pods there are: 91g water 217mg phosphorus 9g protein 1.7mg iron 0.7g fat 0.15mg carotene 12g carbohydrates 0.33mg vitamin B1 15mg calcium 0.18mg vitamin B2 12mg vitamin C 2.9mg niacin

Snake beans can be picked once they reach 25cm onwards while the pods are still slender with a faint sign of bean seeds starting to swell in the pods.

Preparation
Wash; chop into 2.5cm lengths or as desired for Chinese dishes.

Cooking
Chinese - The Cantonese people tend to stir-fry in egg. Stir-fry the beans first and then add the egg. Snake beans may also be cooked in black bean sauce where fresh straw mushrooms would be a good addition to the dish.
Western - Use snake beans as you would string beans. Nuts and seeds go well with snake beans. Stir-fry together with carrot slices and soy sauce or purée them with onions, carrote for patties. They can also be used in caseroles.

Storage
Beans will keep from 7-10 days if sealed in a plastic bag and kept under refrigeration. If stored below 4°C, pitting and russeting occurs.

Website
Asian Vegetables Thesaurus
Agriculture Victoria, IHD Knoxfield
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/trade/asiaveg/thes-54.htm

Pick from the RIRDC book shelf

Asian Foods - Market Trends and Prospects
by Grant Vinning
Asian Markets Research
RIRDC Research Paper 94/9
$25 ($6 p&h) 92 pages

Surveys the Asian food market both in Asia and Australia and the likely trends in both the short and long term. Also analyses wholesale market trends for selected products, and recommends which Asian countries, markets and foods have the greatest potential to create new export opportunities for Australia.

The book can be purchased from
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)
P.O. Box 4776, Kingston, ACT 2600, Phone: (02) 6272 4819, Fax: (02) 6272 5877
Webpage: http://www.rirdc.gov.au/

For more RIRDC publications see our first 'Asian Foods' Newsletter.