AKA: cilantro root.

WTF? Every grocery store in this country carries cilantro, but trying to find the root (fresh or frozen, NOT dried/ground) is more difficult than winning the goddamn lottery.

I’m trying to make massaman curry paste from scratch. This is that only ingredient that eludes me. I’ve called or visited almost every Asian market in Albuquerque. I’m in Tulsa at the moment to teach a class for a couple of days, so I even called around here. The best I got was “We don’t have any right NOW, but we sometimes get it.” Plenty of Yeungling (YAY!), but zero roots.

Don’t get me started on how challenging it can be to call an Asian market and ask a simple question.

SIGH

I can’t even find a place online to order it in the US yet. I also know I can grow it, but I want curry sooner rather than later.

Etsy has fresh plants and cuttings, I have ordered lots of plants there and so far no problems.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1...6dbccf6%3A1728625984

quote:

Originally posted by fischtown7:
Etsy has fresh plants and cuttings, I have ordered lots of plants there and so far no problems.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1...6dbccf6%3A1728625984

Interesting. I thought Etsy was just for crafty type stuff. Still, I don’t see any roots for sale specifically. I see a few listings for whole cilantro plants that appear to include the roots, but they are a bit pricey that way to get the amount I need.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Every grocery store in this country carries cilantro, but trying to find the root (fresh or frozen, NOT dried/ground) is more difficult than winning the goddamn lottery.

Try finding fennel bulbs (or pollen) or celeriac (celery root) in small town Montana. I resorted to growing my own. You might look into that. Cilantro grows really quick. I have two bunches growing in the house on a windowsill. Never thought to eat the roots though.

(Oops...didn't see your last sentence)

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:

quote:

Originally posted by fischtown7:
Etsy has fresh plants and cuttings, I have ordered lots of plants there and so far no problems.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1...6dbccf6%3A1728625984

Interesting. I thought Etsy was just for crafty type stuff. Still, I don’t see any roots for sale specifically. I see a few listings for whole cilantro plants that appear to include the roots, but they are a bit pricey that way to get the amount I need.

I have ordered some nice handmade holsters from Etsy, they really have alot of stuff in addition to the artsy stuff.

How about here?

Or maybe HERE.

But I’ve read you can use the stem and a substitute.

^OP said he did not wish to grow it.

It's your fault you posted this AFTER we went to a Korean Grocery, a Chinese Grocery and a Vietnamese market. Weekly supply run for wifes cooking.

https://www.amazon.com/Cooking.../dp/B00I1HDGIW?gQT=1

Since this is for a curry paste, the dried/ground version isn't ideal. If I can't come up with source for the real deal, I may just have to try it anyway.

kkina: I saw that post; I'd likely have to purchase $40 of plants to get the roots I'd need.

I've also read about using the stems instead, but it seems like they are acceptable, at best.

Ah, ok. I thought $20 would be reasonable for a nice healthy bunch, $40 not so much.

Coriander is a synonym for cilantro. (As to why there are two words for the same plant/spice? No idea.)

Anyway, thought I'd share that tidbit in case you didn't already know, as that may help your search.

quote:

Originally posted by joel9507:
Coriander is a synonym for cilantro. (As to why there are two words for the same plant/spice? No idea.)

Anyway, thought I'd share that tidbit in case you didn't already know, as that may help your search.

UK English versus American English.

Kinda' like eggplant vs aubergine.

If you want some good dry curry, order some Vadouvan curry from The Spice House.. Holy smokes that stuff is good! Not sure how you'd make a paste out of it though. Add it to some EVOO maybe?

quote:

Originally posted by joel9507:
Coriander is a synonym for cilantro. (As to why there are two words for the same plant/spice? No idea.)

In the US, cilantro refers to the leaves, while coriander is the dried seeds used as an herb. In the UK, they use coriander for both.

quote:

Originally posted by joel9507:
Coriander is a synonym for cilantro. (As to why there are two words for the same plant/spice? No idea.)

Anyway, thought I'd share that tidbit in case you didn't already know, as that may help your search.

Yep. It's the very first line of my post.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
If you want some good dry curry, order some Vadouvan curry from The Spice House.. Holy smokes that stuff is good! Not sure how you'd make a paste out of it though. Add it to some EVOO maybe?

That looks good! May have to order some...