Bamboo Shoot

This is the tender young shoot of the bamboo plant and it is usually available in spring and early summer. More work is required to prepare fresh bamboo shoot, but canned or vacuum-packed bamboo shoot are now easily available. These cream coloured shoots are commonly used in Asian cooking and enjoyed for their crunchy texture and mild, sweet flavour. Bamboo groves are common in the Zen temples and as such, the use of bamboo shoot in shojin cooking is a natural use of this food resource.