BobinMIZZU
New member
Here's some pics to help you identify the pokeberry plant.
Poke grows anywhere birds have dropped the seeds after eating the berries. Along fence rows and anywhere the ground has been recently cleared are good places to look for it. This is a relatively young plant.
[attachment 202015 19-poke-salad-021.jpg]
This is the mature plant in the Fall. In MIZZU they often reach 6' or higher.
[attachment 202017 hangingpokeberries-765248.jpg]
Here's what the young shoots look like. I think they are best when shorter than this but this one is usable. I'd cut it as shown. Everything above the cut line (stem and all) is edible. In general you want to avoid any part of the plant that's red.
[attachment 202020 poke_salad_shoot.jpg]
The best shoots are found where there are established big plants. A good technique is to scout them out in the Fall then go back in the Spring to harvest. In our area the time to hunt is late April/early May. This stuff cooks down about like spinach so make sure you get plenty. Bring them to a boil and drain. Bring to a boil, then pitch the water again. Then cook as you would any other greens. As Rusty mentioned, add a few slices of bacon during the final cooking. Hope this helps. Bob
Poke grows anywhere birds have dropped the seeds after eating the berries. Along fence rows and anywhere the ground has been recently cleared are good places to look for it. This is a relatively young plant.
[attachment 202015 19-poke-salad-021.jpg]
This is the mature plant in the Fall. In MIZZU they often reach 6' or higher.
[attachment 202017 hangingpokeberries-765248.jpg]
Here's what the young shoots look like. I think they are best when shorter than this but this one is usable. I'd cut it as shown. Everything above the cut line (stem and all) is edible. In general you want to avoid any part of the plant that's red.
[attachment 202020 poke_salad_shoot.jpg]
The best shoots are found where there are established big plants. A good technique is to scout them out in the Fall then go back in the Spring to harvest. In our area the time to hunt is late April/early May. This stuff cooks down about like spinach so make sure you get plenty. Bring them to a boil and drain. Bring to a boil, then pitch the water again. Then cook as you would any other greens. As Rusty mentioned, add a few slices of bacon during the final cooking. Hope this helps. Bob