The Sweet Way Sugarcane Stalks Are Used To Elevate Grilled Meat

When imagining sugarcane, you've probably pictured the tall reeds that resemble green bamboo-like plants. It's an underrated type of sugar you should definitely be using more often: But how? In its stalk form, sugarcane is used to add flavor to meaty skewers, an immensely popular Vietnamese appetizer. This sweet yet meaty and slightly salty snack can commonly be found along busy promenades or prepared at special occasions like weddings. They add a delightful burst of flavor to any festivity. 

Known (in Vietnamese) by the name Chạo Tôm, these skewers include a mixture of shrimp, meat, and aromatics to create a juicy, spongy treat that sings to all those fabulous Asian flavors. In case you're apprehensive about sweet meat, well, the sugarcane taste is not overwhelming. Its flavor is light and complementary, pairing perfectly with the fishy, meaty elements. Time to say farewell to the single-use wooden spears; these sugarcane stalks will totally elevate your grill game.

Sugarcane skewers originated from the central region of Vietnam, from the city of Huế. This excellent appetizer can be made using either solely shrimp or mixed with the addition of pork paste. It's blitzed up with lemongrass, ginger, garlic, shallots, and some seasoning (fish sauce, of course). This forms a thick meat paste that is then wrapped around the sugarcane sticks.

The skewers are placed on a hot grill to cook, however, these skewers may also be deep-fried or boiled. The seemingly wet mousse-like sticks will form a slightly crispy outer layer. Now imagine all those beautiful flavors inside the meat cooking with the taste of the sugarcane sticks. The sugarcane starts releasing its juices into the meat, infusing it with a subtly sweet essence that elevates the flavor of the whole skewer: A taste you've only dreamed about. They're best eaten immediately, so if you ever try these, make sure they're fresh.

The history of sugar dates back 10,000 years, so there's been plenty of time to find many uses for it across cultures. In all its meaty skewer goodness, sugarcane has spread to be used in many ways than you may have first considered. For instance, it's the key ingredient in cane vinegar, a type of vinegar commonly used in the Philippines. The sugarcane makes the vinegar mildly sweet while retaining those zingy sharp notes common to vinegar.

While sugarcane juice is a popular beverage across Asia, the juice itself can also be used in more ways than one. This wonder can be used to create a vibrant Punjabi Lemon Chicken. It's perfect if you like a sweet touch to that sour punch. Sugarcane molasses is also a great base for rum, candy making, and even baking: If you're looking to experiment and want to try sugarcane, then you can start with this. However, if you get your hands on some sugarcane stalks, be sure to try out these meaty skewers on the grill.