"David D." > wrote:
> At an Asian supermarket, I purchased a fresh, giant aloe leaf for use as
> a topical healer for burnt skin.
>
> Since giant aloe leaves are always available at this store, I assume that
> they have other uses than just as a healing gel for injured skin.
>
> Is it used in cooking? What else is it used for?
>
> This particular variety of aloe is extremely bitter.
>
> Also, can a leaf be rooted in soil, or would I need to get a piece of a
> whole plant with a bit of root attached? Where can giant aloe plants be
> purchased (I live in northeastern USA). I have a beautiful aloe plant
> growing in my home, but its leaves are only about a foot long. The leaf
> that I purchased at the supermarket is about 2 1/2 feet long.
>
Use a potato peeler to skin it. 1. Cut the interior into 1/2" x 1 or 2"
slices and cook them with scrambled eggs. I like 'em like that. Kinda like
okra. 2. Run the interior through a blender and drink the 'juice' or mix it
with Vodka. That's the way my wife's cuz likes it.

To root: cut off the top 3 or 4" of the leaf. Set it tip down 'til a good
skin forms over the cut. Set it cut side down, only as deep as necessary to
ensure stability in a pot full of sand with a drain hole and in a bowl of
water. Don't mess with it! Keep water in the bowl, don't water the plant.
It should 'smell' the water and put down roots. I've started several
varieties of cactii this way (but not aloe vera, yet).

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