Bamboo Shoots

### **Bamboo Shoots** ***Young Sprouts with a Delicate Crunch*** Bamboo shoots are the edible new culms (sprouts) of many bamboo species, harvested before they harden into fibrous stalks. They are a staple vegetable in numerous Asian cuisines, prized for their **tender-crisp texture** and **mild, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor**. **Key facts:** * **Forms: ** They are available fresh, dried, canned, or fermented. * **Culinary Use: ** They add texture to dishes like stir-fries, curries, soups, salads, and braised meats. * **Preparation Note: ** Raw bamboo shoots contain naturally occurring compounds that can release cyanide, so they **must be thoroughly boiled or cooked** before consumption to make them safe to eat. * **Nutrition: ** They are low in calories and fat, but rich in dietary fiber, copper, and various B and E vitamins.