Think you may be mixing wansoy up with kinchay, which is more like mini celery stalks and leaves and is supplied without the root system. I have made Thai curries & salads, along with some Latin American food here for over 20 years and never had a problem with taste, using wansoy. I use the roots to flavor my suka, rather than throw them away, tastes great especially with liquidized small red chillies and soy sauce as a dip for roast chicken/pork etc. Here is a site that explains the difference, as they do look a little alike: - Kitchen Conjugations: Wansoy and Kinchay
I have used the wansoy on many occasions, it looks and smells like cilantro to me.......I have no problems with it, just wish it was more available, haven't been able to get any for a couple of weeks now. No, you can't really substitute dried cilantro for fresh...just not the same.
I've had mixed results growing cilantro on the hill above Valencia. The first time I tried, the stuff grew like weeds. Thereafter it seemed almost impossible to even get it to germinate. I was able to harvest a little just yesterday. Have 5 plants still producing, but it's been slow going. Seeds ARE available at Nijosa store.
Only a thought, try mixing in soil from the base of bamboo clumps/stands, before planting seeds or use in seed boxes (sold by the sack usually- try Valencia road nurseries, I use from my own land), excellent mulch, has done wonders for a lot of my plants and trees (including lemons), may help.
Would this be for creating some genuine southwest Salsa for dipping Tortilla sauce in? yum yum yum :-)
salsa Absolutely!! Yum Yum!! I am still having problems finding the Wansoy...usually have been able to get it at Robinsons, but no such luck the past couple of weeks. Went to the market by Buglasan a couple of weeks ago and they didn't have any either...is it out of season right now? I did check at Lee Hypermart yesterday and they have something that is labeled as Wansoy, but it isn't, I bought some of this particular variety (if it is even wansoy at all) once at the Hypermart, and it is more like a parsley.
Once you get the whole wansoy/cilantro/whatever-its-called-here worked out, would you be willing to share how one prepares salsa? :-) I really miss it (along with good Maple Syrup, real Bagels, and good yogurt).
Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe | Simply Recipes Try some diced Tu-od mango folded in after preparation, for a 'tropical' version, my kids can be even tempted to eat it.
