Oca to eat Please Help!!!

Started by kayelondon, February 07, 2011, 16:41:08

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kayelondon

February 07, 2011, 16:41:08
Hi, I am a Kiwi (originally) living in West London and do not know where I can find Oca to buy so I can roast some.  I grew up on eating roast oca or yams as we called them in Kiwiland.  I tried my local Farmers Market in Chiswick with no luck and although I have a garden it isn't big and will be enough for me to try growing tomatoes and zuchinni this year.  If anyone knows where I can buy I would love to know or maybe I will have to try going to Borough Market but I do think they are quite expensive...

kayelondon

February 07, 2011, 16:41:08

saddad

#1
February 07, 2011, 17:17:36
Hi Kaye... and welcome to A4A... if the weather has been kind I should have some in the compost bin... they grew in their last Summer...  :) If not there are several others on site who have them...

goodlife

#2
February 07, 2011, 17:22:55
What kind of quantity you are after Kaye?

kayelondon

#3
February 07, 2011, 17:28:12
wow already replies, what a great site.  I am just looking for some that I can roast straight away - I haven't eaten them for 20 years as they have been impossible to buy ready to eat!

lottie lou

#4
February 07, 2011, 17:49:16
Sorry lost virtually all my crop to the frost.  Did put them in unheated greenhouse but wasn't good enough and they totally froze in their pots.  I'm sick as a parrot.

gp.girl

#5
February 07, 2011, 19:20:28
Terrible thing to say but have you tried Tesco? Its amazing what they stock and I think I saw yams in my local store.
A space? I need more plants......more plants? I need some space!!!!

lottie lou

#6
February 07, 2011, 21:31:58
Good luch with your search.  If you are unlucky and have a bit of patience I could send you a couple to grow in a bucket and you'll have some for next Christmas dinner.

Robert_Brenchley

#7
February 08, 2011, 16:17:01
Quote from: lottie lou on February 07, 2011, 17:49:16
Sorry lost virtually all my crop to the frost.  Did put them in unheated greenhouse but wasn't good enough and they totally froze in their pots.  I'm sick as a parrot.

I'm not surprised; I lost garlic and ulluco I had in pots.

lottie lou

#8
February 08, 2011, 18:12:35
Well I know next time, will try to move buckets into living room if frost hits next year.  Hope no one notices them

Ian Pearson

#9
February 10, 2011, 12:02:21
Hi Kaye
Sounds like we are virtually neighbours. I grow Oca, but it is valuable as seed for other growers. I'd be happy to let you have a few tubers to grow next year.
Have a look at my website:
http://oca-testbed.blogspot.com/

PM me, and we can sort something out.

Ian

kayelondon

#10
February 10, 2011, 12:17:20
Hi Ian, wasn't sure about PMing?  I tried to email on your blog but I dont have Outlook setup on my laptop.  How can I get hold of you?

goodlife

#11
February 10, 2011, 12:32:47
Kaye..see those 4 little logos under Ians picture..the one on right hand edge...click on that...PM..personal message button ;)

Tonythegardener

#12
February 10, 2011, 18:54:31
Thanks Ian, I thought that the Real Seed Company had sold out of Oca but it seems they have a little left. 
I just want to try some for an experiment. 

kiwifruit

#13
February 11, 2011, 12:26:43
Hi ... Ive been after Oca or Yams as we call them, for the last 9 years over here but havent been able too!!!  would love to be able to buy from somewhere to have with the roast and also grow a few along side the spuds...hope more people grow them to get them in the shops  ;D

Ian Pearson

#14
February 11, 2011, 14:00:53
Hi Kiwifruit
Currently, the crop's problem with day-length sensitivity means that it is unlikely to be grown commercially this far north. Some amateur breeders are trying to overcome the issue. In the mean time home growers (who can afford to spend more time and effort on crop protection and cultural methods) can obtain reasonable yields.
Over the years, some UK supermarkets have occasionally, and for short periods, offered oca imported from NZ, but they have presumably not been met with sufficient demand from the public.

Melbourne12

#15
February 12, 2011, 09:42:46
Your local Indian greengrocers will have yams, although whether they're the same as oca I don't know.

Robert_Brenchley

#16
February 12, 2011, 18:21:05
They're not. I grow one, and my wife cooks the other. I've never heard of anyone growing yams here.

Melbourne12

#17
February 12, 2011, 19:10:18
Well, this is a new one on me.  I've just ordered a few tubers from Realseeds to try out.  They're expensive, though.

I've also found a site for nostalgic ex-pat New Zealanders to buy oca ready to cook.  http://www.finefoodspecialist.co.uk/divinity-cart/item/whocatuber/Oca-Tubers-1kg/1.html

But it's (gulp) ten quid a pound!

lottie lou

#18
February 12, 2011, 20:25:33
Did you buy yam tubers or oca from Realseeds. 

Melbourne12

#19
February 12, 2011, 20:28:13
Quote from: lottie lou on February 12, 2011, 20:25:33
Did you buy yam tubers or oca from Realseeds. 

Oca.  They're sold out of most varieties, so I ordered just a couple of small packets to try.
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