1.   But the Peony has other surprises, like rectangular slices of steamed taro root stuffed with shrimp paste and quickly deep-fried and served in a light mushroom sauce.

2.   Jim Becker of Rauxa in Somerville uses patofa, or taro root, in a puree with his grilled pork chop with pomegranate sauce.

3.   On the inside, a small piece of fruit generally is suspended inside a casing of colorful gelatin, known as conjac, typically derived from a taro root.

4.   The fruit and vegetable stands hold stacks of choy sum, lotus, taro roots and daikon radishes.

5.   The mashed taro root is stuffed with minced pork, shrimp, mushrooms, onions and bamboo shoots and then deep-fried.

6.   The residents could pluck a fryer off a bush almost as easily as they harvested taro root and papayas for a midday snack.

7.   She also admired intricate dragons, roosters and horses carved from pumpkins and taro roots.

8.   The traditional diet revolves around the starchy taro root, supplemented by yams, bananas, breadfruit and the bounties of the sea.