The lotus is a tuber that lives in the mud at the bottom of a pond.

In the summer time, this root grows a stalk that comes to the surface of the water and blossoms into big beautiful floating leaves and breath-taking flowers.

We do eat the tubers and to me they are delicious.

This root is very medicinal. In fact the tuber has chambers inside that resemble our lungs and when we eat them it helps to clear out the mucous from our lungs and bronchial tubes.

To make a tea that helps to clear our lungs:

Cut a root in a half and grate only half. Put the pulp into a cotton cloth and squeeze the juice out. This is very little, probably ¼ cup of liquid. Add the same amount of water. Bring to a boil on a medium flame and simmer for 5 minutes. Add a few drops of soy sauce. Drink

If you have a cold it will make you breathe better.

Make two cups of tea a day for up to three days.

Lotus roots can be eaten in various different ways as a side dish.

It could be simply cut in thin rounds and steamed for 5 or 10 minutes and eaten that way or cooked for a longer time.

One of my favorite way is a dish called kimpira.

Preparazione

Heat oil into a skillet, add onions and saute’ until translucent. Add Lotus roots and add enough spring water to cover, bring to a boil. Simmer with a lid for ½ hour, remove lid and let the water evaporate, add soy sauce and cook for another minute.

Serve