EatTheWeeds: Episode 82: Poke Weed II

http://www.eattheweeds.com/can-be-deadly-but-oh-so-delicious-pokeweed-2/

Learn about wild food with Green Deane. In this video, we revisit poke weed and cook some as well.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• bushcraft
• edible
• wild
• foods
• Foraging
• herbs
• medicine
• permaculture
• plants
• raw
• survival
• wildcraft
• poke
• weed
• phytolacca
• americana

[eoaroadshow]

When you boil this or any other edible that needs multiple boilings, doesn't much of the food value go away? I always wondered about this because if it's true then what's the use of eating anything you have to boil so much?

[EatTheWeeds]

@eoaroadshow I would not call a total of 16 minutes of boiling a lot of boiling. Seem to me my mother cooked potatoes and rice for far longer. No doubt some nutrition is lost but no doubt some is made avilable by the cooking. The most imporant elements are the toxin is removed AND the weed tastes good.

[xxxBibixxx]

When you prepare the shoots wrong, how much time do you have to get to a hospital?

[EatTheWeeds]

@xxxBibixxx Two hours. Then you can expect to experience... violent vomiting, retching, a burning sensation from the mouth to the stomach, adominal cramps, purging, blurred vision, drowsiness, sweating. If you've eaten large amount that can be followed by convulsions, possible paralysis, stupor and respiratory failure. Boil them twice, two changes of water.

[XpaceTrue]

Umm... I would not PICK pokeweed with my bare hands. I would only pick while wearing GLOVES. At the least, I suggest thoroughly washing hands afterwards.

From what I've read, pokeweed is highly MUTAGENIC (DNA-altering & cancer-causing), even to the touch. That's why it takes several changes of boiling water to change and remove the toxins. (Animals will only eat it if they're STARVING.)

I'm not saying to not pick or eat pokeweed, but I'm suggesting to be more careful about it.

[EatTheWeeds]

@XpaceTrue Thanks for writing. These issues are covered on my website on an article about poke weed.

[cncdude1]

I remember my mom cooking it up like you would prepare collards. She would get the smaller leaves and cut it from the stems, bring it to a hard boil til it had a foam on it. Then pour off the water and then add seasoning meat such as pork spareribs or bacon. (Florida cracker recipe) :)

[CRAZYHORSE091]

I enjoyed watching this video as it brought back many memories. Oklahoma & Texas my family picked and we ate. I also add that in the 70s while I was still very young..I Did...Cut the Stems and fried them like Okra after rolling in cornmeal. NOT RECOMMENDED... LOL...We were hungry and I guess the Good & Loving Creator kept us safe. It was quite good also. (the younger plants) We call it Poke Salad. I did pear boil though 2 times. Thank you for this wonderful channel!

[Pistol76]

@Pistol76 People used to eat Poke in the Spring after a long Winter of eating dried beans, grains and cured meats because Poke Weed acts like a natural mild Colon cleanser, if you eat a big plate full you will see what I mean.

[Pistol76]

I eat Poke every year, I used to do the water changes just like you recommend but not anymore. I was told by an old timer that it was not necessary and that even the tender stems could be sliced up and fried like Okra. I tried both and lived, it was very good. That same old timer did tell me to stay away from the roots and berries though, so I have. You can take the tender leaves straight off of the plant and into the frying pan and then put your scrambled eggs in on top of them for a quick meal