Samji

A domestic crop of Kovalar, samji is a root vegetable that grows best in deep mud. The root is a sunny yellow color, and grows in three lateral spear-shaped segments that typically grow to the size of a hand before being harvested. Its stem is tall and leafy, but is unpalatable enough as to be considered inedible (though it is still useful as animal feed!). Samjis are crunchy and slightly sweet if picked young, but can grow large and spongey if left to grow too large, taking on the flavor of mud. They are usually washed, peeled and sliced into ribbons to add to dishes, sliced and fried into chips, muddled and juiced, or sometimes even baked whole.