Look For
Fresh, young and unblemished bamboo roots.
To Store
Fresh bamboo shoots can be stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They can also be cooked then frozen.
To Prepare
Peel off the outer layer to reveal the core, which is typically sliced into thin strips before cooking. While it is not necessarily harmful to eat undercooked bamboo shoots, they are woody, bitter and difficult to digest.