A yam jam was held recently at the Shaughnessy home of Japanese Consul General Seiichi Otsuka to promote the tonic and tasty vegetable.

Nearly 30 people, including diplomats, Vancouver-area chefs and a variety of trade partners feasted on dishes made with the nagaimo (Japanese yam).

Shin Yonezawa, manager of sales at the First International Corporation, came to Vancouver to promote Aomori products here. "Canadians are just starting to learn about nagaimo but for Asian people, it’s a very popular summer food," she said with a smile.

Japanese chefs cooked up an assortment of Aomori treats ranging from black garlic, which tastes like chewy taffy, to nagaimo smoothies, a refreshing blend of yam, orange juice, lime and honey.

Consul General Seiichi Otsuka said he was pleased to open his home to show guests how versatile nagaimos are. Baked, raw or fried, the Japanese yam is delicious in any shape or form.

Guests crowded around the party’s chefs, breathing in the mouth watering aromas, as they stirred, sizzled and fried nagaimos, onion, chicken, bell pepper in hot oil.

Yuichi Hoshi, consul for economic affairs, noted that as the Yen continues to increase in value and the Japanese population continues to fall, it makes sense to look for new markets, especially in Canada.