Ginkgo! Poisonous But...

I tried to find out that vegetable which has hint of bitter taste.  I tried it for the first time when I went back to Burma. It make me curious and why does it so popular that it is  included as a side dish in most Chinese Restaurants. As for me, why is it so popular? Why do they call this vegetable as 100 years Bean? Actually, this is a Ginkgo Nut which as amazing texture and taste.

It can be found at Asian grocery store as either Fresh or boiled. It took time to cook if we choose the fresh one instead of using boiled one in vacuum sealed pack. I found out that cooking the fresh one and made the dish authentic and tasty. In our life time, there are different array of food around the world that we can learn and I think it will never end.

That Ginkgo tree is beautiful ornamental tree known as maidenhair tree for the home too. Like Oak there are two types Male and Female. The Landscaper said that a male Ginkgo tree won't be the problem but one female Ginkgo tree make the whole neighborhood stink because it produces the smelly fruits. The seeds are edible but boiled or cook. Otherwise it will be poisonous if you eat raw. In Burma, my dad prefer it as a side dish frequently because of its medicinal value,bitter taste and waxy texture.

I found out lately that most people call that Ginkgo nut as the 100 years bean. Cool isn't it! You could live long after consuming Ginkgo nut no matter how poisonous it is. But cook it first.

There is more detail information about that vegetable. I also found out that it has great benefit of medicinal value itself. We may find details as following link.
https://g.co/kgs/bRTcmm

Ginkgo with Asparagus (3 Serving)

Ingredients

1 lb       Asparagus ( cut 1 into inches long pieces)
1/2 Cup Ginkgo Nut ( remove the Shell if it is fresh)
1/2 cup Cut onion
1 tbsp   Crushed garlic
2 tbsp   Canola oil
1/4 tsp  Turmeric powder
1 tsp     Fish sauce

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in the stir fry pan with medium high heat.
2. Add Onion, garlic and turmeric powder together.
3. Add the peeled Ginkgo nuts. Add a cup of water. Cook till water has evaporated.
4. Finally, add Asparagus and stir for 3-4 minutes. Add fish sauce and salt to your own    taste.
5. Optional : we may add peeled shrimp to the dish.