One of the things I miss the most since I've had to take a regular job is foraging. This means going out into the woods and country to find wild foods.
As I go along, I try to learn as much as possible about wild foods and wild herbs. A few are easily recognizable and grow prolifically here in the South. One such wild food is Poke Salet (aka Poke Salad). This is a wild green which loves to grow where fence rows and construction sites have been cleared off, but you can find established stands of it around old fences and abandoned houses way out in the country.
The plant does have a toxin so you must cook it a certain way to remove the toxin. After washing at least 6 times to remove all traces of dirt and insects, you place it in a large pot and cover with water. (Handle it like any fresh green and really look the leaves over for insects and insect eggs.) Let it boil until it's wilted down and the leaves have gone from medium green to a brighter green. Pour off the water and rinse the greens, then cook as you would any green.
It's delicious boiled with some bacon in it. You can also squeeze out all the water and fry it in a skillet with bacon grease, adding eggs at the end of the cooking - much like you might do with spinach.
I find it's best not to pick Poke Salet too near a roadway. This keeps you from bringing home too much dust and emissions that might come from passing vehicles. I have seen it grow up to 8 feet tall. It's easily recognized by its long, broad leaves that come to a point on the end and the reddish, woody stems near the ground when it's more mature. Late in the spring it will produce tiny white flowers along the stem and at terminal points that quickly turn into red berries. The growth pattern is similar to grapes, though the berries are much smaller. They are a favored food of many birds but are toxic to humans. Birds spread the seeds to other areas.
This green is as nutritious as any you might eat from the grocery store or garden. The main thing is it's free for the picking, as most people consider it just another wild shrub to be cut down. Because it sprouts and spreads through woody roots and through seed, it can get out of hand. But I consider it a gift because it's one way I can have free groceries in my freezer.
It's especially delicious in the middle of winter, when you know you can't just go out and get more! Just be absolutely sure you are picking the right thing.
All together now! "Poke Salad Annie...gator got your granny...bum bum bum...!"
