Karande also known as Air Potatoes, vine yam, or bitter yam are true yams that belong to the yam family. They are unique tubers that grow as bulbils on perennial air potato vines.

Growing up every time we visited my hometown in Kokan my dad would always pick up karande from the market. He would then boil them with a dash of salt, have them as a snack, and especially had them during fasts. I on the other hand couldn’t enjoy their earthy distinct taste and I disliked the occasionally bitter ones that came in the lot. But that’s about me and my memories of Karande.

Now for the technical info-

The Scientific name of Karande

Dioscorea bulbifera

Other Local names

Karanda/karande/ kadu karanda( marathi)

Air/vine potato or yam or bitter yam ( English )

Appearance

Unlike regular potatoes which grow underground, Karanda grows as a bulbil on perennial air potato vines and hence is also known as vine potatoes.

The usual karanda is the size of a medium potato that fits into the palm like a golf ball.

It is almost round and has a warts-like surface. The peel is slightly tougher unlike regular potatoes and the inner flesh is more yellow-brown and grainy.

Taste Profile

Karanda has a distinct earthy. In simple terms, it is an acquired taste.

Sometimes they turn out to be bitter and those are best discarded.

Availability

Karanda or air potatoes are local to India. They are mainly available in monsoons in the local markets in Kokan and you can purchase them by weight.

Only a few specific vendors at specific places sell it in Mumbai Markets (like Dadar market, Borivali market, etc) and you won’t find them sold online.

There are mainly 2 varieties of these Air potatoes- kali (Dark skinned) and safed (light skinned) Air potatoes.

Nutritional Facts

Karande have nutrients like protein, fat, crude fibre, and phytochemicals. They are also rich in sodium, saponin, and oxalate but to get the maximum nutritional benefit from Karanda preparing it properly is the key.

Medicinal Uses

Dioscorea bulbifera bulbils are known for their healing properties.

They are mainly used for gut health for issues like piles and dysentery. They are also good for conditions like ulcers, cough, diabetes, asthma, and cancer. Apart from that they are also used for treating tumours, wounds, hernias, hair lice, and skin infections.

Culinary Uses

That is the easiest way to consume them-boiled. Wash the Karanda thoroughly and put it into the pressure cooker and pressure cook it with a pinch of salt. But since air potatoes are a great substitute for potatoes you could try some of these variants too-

• Bhajiya
• Gravy/ dry vegetable
• Pattice/cutlets
• Desserts-kheer
• Fasting foods like boiled karanda, karanda bhaji etc

While Karande/air potatoes are one of the lesser-known ingredients from Maharashtra there are many more. So make sure to read more about other lesser-known vegetables like Takla, Phodshi, Dragon stalk yam, etc.