Recipes Information

Digging Up Earthnuts (Conopodium Majus)


The custom of grubbing for Earthnuts, or Pignuts is as ancient as mankind itself. Although these tasty tubers are beloved of pigs (hence the name) they are a most unusual and rewarding woodland snack and there was a time when they were a popular nibble for country children on their way to and from school.

The fern like leaves appear along with the Lesser Celandine in the spring. During May and July they develop umbellifer heads with white flowers not unlike Cow Parsley. According to Gerard and others the Dutch once ate them 'boiled and buttered, as we do parseneps and carrots'. Unearthing a pignut is a delicate operation. The root disconnects from the tuber very easily, which can be several inches from where the stem appears above ground.

Follow the stem under the earth using careful scraping with a twig, fingernail or knife. Eventually you will reach the pignut which is covered with a chestnut coloured skin. If you can wash the nut at this stage it avoids getting muddy fingernails while peeling. As soon as I found the one shown in the picture, an earthworm appeared and dived into the hole it left!

Scrape off the papery outer coating to reveal the Earthnut. The older name for Earthnuts is 'Earth Chestnuts' and this gives you a clue to their taste - a chestnut texture but with a more earthy taste. There's nothing like carefully digging one of these up during a walk in the woods. Do it with your fingernails. As the earthy taste hits the senses you are drawn more completely into contact with the nature around you. A true 'pomme de terre'.

Gerard's Herbal mentions that 'There is a Plaister made of the seeds hereof, whereof to write in this place were impertinent to our historie'....Probably witches again! Earthnuts get a mention in Shakespeare's 'Tempest', from Caliban as he promises:

"I prithee, let me bring thee where crabs grow;
And with my long nails I will dig thee pignuts".

With thanks to R. Maybee, R. Phillips and M. Woodward's version of Gerard's Herbal.

From an ebook called 'Wild Food' underway at simonthescribe. If you wish to republish this article (with this resource box intact) you will find excellent quality pictures to accompany it at http://www.simonthescribe.co.uk/pignuts.html


MORE RESOURCES:

SheKnows.com

9 Chicken Wing Recipes For The Super Bowl
Huffington Post
If you're feeling like a little bit of sweet, you'll probably want a wing with a touch of honey or mango. From maple-chipotle hot wings to soy-garlic chicken wings to classic Buffalo, we've a wing recipe for everyone. What is your favorite chicken wing ...
Super Bowl Recipes: A Guide To The Perfect Game Day MenuSB Nation
Super Bowl recipes: A chicken wing smorgasbordWashington Post (blog)
Buffalo chicken lettuce wraps and more Super Bowl recipesSheKnows.com
The State Journal-Register -Guyism -Tulsa World
all 350 news articles »


These Super Bowl Recipes From A Local Chef Are Champs
Patch.com
You may not associate the delicacies of culinary school with the rough and tumble of the gridiron, but Chef Tony Hedeger has four winning recipes for your Super Bowl party. By Holly Edgell Super Bowl XLVI kicks off Sunday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 CST.
5-Star Super Bowl RecipesNBC Los Angeles

all 8 news articles »


Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Hunting for recipes in 'The Hunger Games' trilogy
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Still, Baines's hunt for ingredients for the recipes in “The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook” was not without its pitfalls. One order for squirrel meat netted Baines a cardboard box with a dead squirrel in it. “I'd rather my meat come to me already ...

and more »


Deseret News

These recipes will score points at Super Bowl spreads
Deseret News
Green Chile Pork Tamales from Barbara Bakes: Barbara from Barbara Bakes always has such great recipes, and this one for Green Chile Pork Tamales sounds wonderful. There's just something about Mexican food that always seems comforting, isn't there?
17 Super Easy Super Bowl Recipes Courtesy Of PinterestOlogy
Lauren's Super Bowl Party RecipesPatch.com

all 18 news articles »


Super Bowl Parties, Recipes, Fashion, Advertisements and More
Design Crave
Green lifestyle advocate Inhabitat has Six Yummy Organic Recipes For Your Super Bowl Party. The list includes how to make your own tortilla chips, Mediterranean salsa, eggplant sliders and more. Everyone knows if the game is lame (which fingers crossed ...

and more »


Fox News

Dip Off 2012 Recipes
Valley News Live
Here are the recipes. Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium heat, set it aside and drain the grease from the pan. Cook the bacon in the pan until crispy, about 6-10 minutes, set aside and drain all but a tablespoon of the grease.
Super Bowl Recipe Challenge: Martha Stewart Sweet Onion Dip vs. Williams ...Huffington Post (blog)

all 246 news articles »


Asia Food Recipe Hits One Recipe Uploaded Every 15 Minutes and Becomes Fastest ...
Houston Chronicle
With more than 30000 recipes focusing on Asian cuisines, Asia Food Recipe has become Asia's largest Asian food recipe website. Asia Food Recipe today announced that it has hit a new milestone of one recipe uploaded every 15 minutes.

and more »


The Guardian

Allspice recipes | Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
The Guardian
Rarely is allspice part of the blend, perhaps because of its intense pepperiness, yet that heat can be very welcome in a sweet batter or dough, just as ginger can (see the sumptuous cake recipe). I love the look and feel of allspice's fat, round, ...

and more »


This Dish Is Veg

Touchdown! Ten Delicious Vegetarian Super Bowl Recipes
Global Animal
So why not try one of these yummy vegetarian recipes as you root for your favorite team. Read on for ten delicious meat free recipes! — Global Animal Try some new vegetarian recipes this Super Bowl Weekend! Photo Credit: Shuttershock.com While we'd ...
Vegan food for Super Bowl SundayThis Dish Is Veg

all 3 news articles »


The Daily Star

Lebanese winter recipes look to the past
The Daily Star
We spoke to those in the know about the most nourishing and healthy of recipes to keep you warm this winter. Opened in late 2009, Tawlet in Mar Mikhael has fast become a favorite Beirut spot for those missing mama's home cooking.


Google News

Mommy Home Jobs | Mommy Matters | index | site map
Copyright MommyHomeJobs.com