Chinchayote

/ˌtʃɪntʃəˈjoʊteɪ/ noun

Definition

A climbing vine plant native to Mexico, related to the yam, that produces an edible tuber used in traditional cuisine.

Etymology

From Nahuatl 'chinchayotl,' a combination of words describing the plant. It has been cultivated in Mesoamerica for centuries and remains important in Mexican cooking.

Kelly Says

The chinchayote is one of those ancient Mesoamerican crops (along with maize, beans, and squash) that archaeologists can trace back thousands of years through carbonized seeds and agricultural terraces.

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