Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 17:06:17 -0400
From: “N.A. Booko”
Subject: More Poke . . .
Apparently the eating of poke weed goes back for centuries. I know in my young days I heard relatives and neighbors speak of it- And it was considered a delicacy- despite the fact that it was by many considered poison. African slaves ate it to supplement their diet, and the idea of eating it was passed on from one generation to another.
Several Chatlist readers wrote and told me stories dealing with poke weed. One lady told of, as a child, she thought she had found blueberries (it was poke weed)- told her mother, and mom said to go pick some and she would make a pie. The girl’s baby brother, went along. As she picked, she would give the brother some ‘blue berries’- When she got home and the mother realized the baby had been fed poke weed berries, she took him to the hospital and it required having his stomach pumped out.
Someone’s grandmother taught them that it was o.k. to eat the leaves as long as there was no red streaks in the stems.
Another reader: “I was taught that the early spring shoots could be eaten . . and were, to no ill effect. In the Mountains, ‘poke salat’ is a delicacy.”
I personally eat the new thick shoots, with leaves. Generally, I have had my fill for the year by the time the stalks reach the very thick stage and the leaves become large and tough.
I had always heard that if you look in an area where you know poke weed grows, you can find tiny, green leaves just popping up on New Years Day. I have checked that several times over the years, and sometimes it is true. But that would depend on where you are living. Up North, I am sure it can’t possibly be true.
And last I think perhaps it is one wild delicacy that is not sold.. and not available the year round.
N.A. Booko
I dig the earth . . .