What labor-intensive initial step is required for a fresh, whole bamboo shoot before cooking?
Answer
Peeling away the tough outer layers to reveal the tender interior.
When dealing with the fresh, whole form of the bamboo shoot, preparation begins physically before any water treatment is applied. This process is described as labor-intensive because the outermost layers surrounding the edible core are tough and fibrous. To access the tender interior, these tough outer layers must be manually peeled away. Only after this initial manual step is completed can the cook proceed with the necessary detoxification stage, which usually involves extensive boiling to remove bitterness and render the inner core palatable.
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