taro

/ˈtɛroʊ/
noun
  1. A tropical plant grown for its large, starchy underground stem (corm), which is eaten as a vegetable.
    • She boiled taro and mashed it with coconut milk for a traditional dish.
    • Farmers in Hawaii cultivate taro in flooded fields called loʻi.
    • Taro is a staple food in many Pacific Island cultures.
  2. The starchy corm of the taro plant, used as food.
    • Taro can be baked, boiled, or fried like a potato.
    • He added diced taro to the soup for extra thickness.
    • Taro root has a mild, nutty flavor and a purple tint when cooked.