Rucki, Bitter potato, Choque pitu
Solanum curtilobum
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
A natural hybrid. It is a herb. It grows 50-90 cm tall. It has a tuberous rootstock.
There are about 1400 Solanum species. It is a pentaploid.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows on the altiplano in the Andes. It grows at about 3,800 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Andes, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, South America
How it is used for food
The tubers are frozen, thawed and dried. This removes the glycoalkaloides which make them bitter. The processed product is called chuno. White chuno is made by freezing, peeling, soaking and sun drying. For black chuno the potatoes are not soaked. They are often used in soups and stews and combined with barley and herbs.
It is cultivated in some places.
Edible parts
Root, tuber
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Ckaisalla