Water Chestnuts

APPEARANCE: About the size of ping-pong balls, these little devils can be unmistakably identified by skin color and the rings of papery leaf bases. When fresh from the swamp (where they grow) and lightly coated in dried mud, they may appear brownish-grey; when washed they are mahogany-black in color.

QUALITY: The best are large and round (hence easier to peel), firm and uniformly brown (hence sound).

COMMENTS: Water chestnuts are an ancient Chinese crop, believed to be some 3,000 years old. They are still common in markets in Hong Kong as well as in China, and still popular in homes, restaurants, and street stalls. Fresh ma tai have a crunchy, succulent texture and sweet nutty flavor that can be enjoyed raw or cooked.