Family Araceae

Konjac, also known as devil’s tongue, voodoo lily, snake palm, and elephant yam, is a perennial plant native to India and eastern Asia, including Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. Although it is often called a yam, the name is a misnomer. Because the large corm, which grows up to 10 inches/25 centimeters in diameter, has an unremarkable flavor, it is made into flour or into a jellylike substance that can be used as a vegan substitute for gelatin. In Japan, the flour is used to make noodles called ito konnyaku or shirataki (and devil’s tongue noodles in English), which are served in sukiyaki and oden (a vegetable and fish cake stew). Low in calories and high in fiber, konjac is also used to make a popular Asian fruit jelly snack.