Nana kizhange (നന കിഴങ്ങ് / cheru kizhangu / ചെറു കിഴങ്ങ് / lesser yam / Dioscorea esculenta) is a type of sweet yam or potato which has been cultivated in Kerala for centuries. Their rhizomes are planted before the beginning of the rainy season. The plant is a thorny vine which is supported on 6-feet high stakes. It grows well with application of a little organic manure or on just a bit of mulching. The vine dries out in December, leaving thick, juicy yams underneath. These are washed, boiled with a bit of salt, or baked. They are delicious! Though we lost most of our plants in the persistent torrential rains last year, two or three survived to provide some rhizomes to plant this year. Nature always finds a way to survive!
