Foo Posted October 6, 2011 Hi all, i was wondering if anyone here had experience with cooking with "leaves" particually SE Asian food that would normally call for a Banana leaf. They dont grow so well in Perth and i dont fancy a 10 hour drive to get some. Especialy interested in something i can grow. Any help at all apreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apothecary Posted October 6, 2011 Hi eatfoo, The most common leaf used in this manner aside from banana leaf is lotus leaf from Nelumbo species. There is plenty of info about them all over the net on food websites. Your best bet imho is a Chinese grocer which sell dried leaves you can soak. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tripsis Posted October 6, 2011 Leaves of various gingers can be used in place of banana leaves, though will likely impart flavour which may or may not be desirable. Taro leaves can be used too, though they would need to be treated to remove the calcium oxalate present in them first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kadakuda Posted October 6, 2011 here they use a leave to wrap rice concoctions (Zhong Zhi). i forget the latin name on them, they are like a mini banana leaf and look like the banana/ginger type of growth habit. they are used to wrap and cook in, i assume thats your need? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foo Posted October 6, 2011 here they use a leave to wrap rice concoctions (Zhong Zhi). i forget the latin name on them, they are like a mini banana leaf and look like the banana/ginger type of growth habit. they are used to wrap and cook in, i assume thats your need? That sounds awesome. Whats the common name then Also thanks for the rest of the responces. Plenty to read up on Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kadakuda Posted October 6, 2011 my wife helped me find the latin for the chinese name Alpinia zerumbet 月桃 a good site, though in chinese. http://www.moxa.org.tw/grass/034.pdf flowers make a decent tea as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shortly Posted October 6, 2011 Eneste ventricosum is cool tolerant, although i don't know if it would handle severe frost? It also has an edible starchy corm if that makes any difference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flora Posted October 6, 2011 there are plenty of bananas in perth - keep your eyes 'peeled'. the starchy variety grows well in perth climate. they need cooking & make excellent chippies. there was a great clump of sugar bananas at city farm, you could ask around Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naja naja Posted October 7, 2011 yeah, banana plants grow fine in perth, sum even fruit OK, but since u just want the leaves. Growing ur own is a very viable option. They have fruited as far south as Augusta as far as I'm aware. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
H.E. Pennypacker Posted October 7, 2011 Carica papaya? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foo Posted October 7, 2011 Mmmm, ive never had any luck growing the suckers. Havent tried since i was a kid though. Might give it shot though. One leaf i have overlooked though is Bamboo! Wich i have access to alot of. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devance Posted October 7, 2011 I thought you were talking abount a condom. Kandarian reaches 20 feet. "4" deep pots, plants are between 4"- 24" tall http://northerntropics.mybisi.com/product/kandarian-musa-banana-plant-african-giant-banana http://www.floridahillnursery.com/banana-trees-c-3/musa-kandarian-banana-tree-p-72 http://www.botanicalgrowers.net/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BGN&Product_Code=MUS-KAN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McTeeth Posted October 7, 2011 Piper auritum/subpeltatum leaves can be used to wrap rice or fish in central american cooking. May add its own particular spicy aroma to food but it smells lovely. They are often available at SAB and mine does well in the non tropical climate (mine is subpeltatum) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kadakuda Posted October 8, 2011 piper betel is also used in the same fashion (wrapping rice/mixes) in Asia. eatfoo, what exactly are you looking to do? wrap with or eat teh leaves? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
random Posted October 10, 2011 What about Cardomon leaves? Heard they're supposed to be good for cooking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coin Posted October 10, 2011 Maybe you're specifically looking for an alternative. But here in Vic you can buy "fresh" banana leaves that are vacuum packed at a lot of Asian grocers. Maybe you can find those? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foo Posted October 11, 2011 Ive had a look around at my local Asian stores with no luck sadly. I did have a go at cooking zongzi with fresh bamboo leaves though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coin Posted October 11, 2011 it's not an uncommon product...you could probably ask your store to order it or find it somewhere else.... maybe perth is not like melbourne...but being in melbourne means there are hundreds of asian grocers nearby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kadakuda Posted October 11, 2011 learn the name in whatever language those "asian stores" are actually from. if ya need chinese (real mandarin, not that dumbed down crap china uses ;)) just let me know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foo Posted October 12, 2011 My local store is filipino. Sadly you are right, Perth is not Melbourne Im going to venture into the CBD at some point, by the sounds of it ill probly find some there. Btw i dont know if ive ever seen a "chinese" store, at least not with chinese staff in perth. The SE Asians seem to be far more common out my way as most of our Chinese immigrants were during the gold rush and seem to all have westernised by now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naja naja Posted October 12, 2011 Westernized, fuck, go to northbridge, surely u wil find it there. Alot of resturants also sell stuff, worth checking out too. Or just go to a garden store, they'll have live plants for sale. Hell, i bet if u look around u could find them growing in peepses backyards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foo Posted October 12, 2011 There arent actualy that many Chinese in NB alot more Korean or SE asian. Will head in sometime though, theres a few stores ive usedin the past that i need other stuff from anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites