Pork Spareribs and Pickled Bamboo Soup

BAMBOO IS FOUND IN ABUNDANCE IN VIETNAM. IT IS DISPLAYED AS AN ORNAMENT OR A DECORATIVE PLANT IN HOMES AND GARDENS, IT’S USED AS A BUILDING MATERIAL AND ITS YOUNG SHOOTS ARE USED AS A FOOD SOURCE. IF YOU’RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND FRESH BAMBOO SHOOTS, PEEL OFF THE TOUGH OUTER LAYERS UNTIL YOU ARE LEFT WITH A SOFT INNER CORE. THINLY SLICE AND BOIL IT FOR FIVE MINUTES WITH A TEASPOON OF SUGAR TO ELIMINATE ITS BITTERNESS. IN MOST ASIAN MARKETS, YOU CAN FIND BAMBOO SHOOTS IN TINS OR IN SEALED BAGS