|
Author: Simon Mitchell Article source: http://www.hotlib.com/. Used with author's permission.
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
The Commerce of Obesity
Dr. Marion Nestle, one of the leading experts on the commerce of nutrition, helps you understand why most of Americas food supply is beyond challenged when it c...
WARNING! New Ad Scam Alerts
Don't get conned by smoozers ever again!
Innovation Management – the power of decision makers
One of the most important aspects of creativity and innovation is access to decision makers. One of the fastest killers of creativity and innovation is the inab...
Getting the Job thats Right for You
Lets for a minute focus on the "work-ability" of our next workplace. Finding the job that we enjoy could be worth the pay cut.
Dr. Seusss The Cat in the Hat Will Help You Get Your Point Across!
Learn how to use The Cat in the Hat to make your presentations more exciting and entertaining.
Strata Title Hotel Investments
Want to know why Strata Title Hotel Investments can be a "Hell Hole" for the unwary?
Working with Recruiters: 5 Critical Words for Candidates
Working with professional recruiters can make the job search process very easy. The key is communicating with your recruiter all the way through the process. "W...
Diversification
Wall Street's watchword has always been diversification, but what does it mean and why do they say it?
Quickly Eliminate 100% of Your Junk Email
Like me, you have probably received every Viagra email there is. However, those days are over for me. I'll show you how to stop spam from every seeing your Inbo...
Private Space Enterprises
We all know that space will become the final frontier for Corporate Commercialization. What sorts of businesses will go into space? Well we already know that sp...
My Life
Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 11, 2004 My sister is 45 and having an affair with an old boyfriend from her youth. She says she loves him, he l...
A Sensible Way to Use PR
When you think about it, it's a VERY sensible approach to PR that leads managers to persuade their key outside folks to their way of thinking, then move them to...
Military Loans – Serving Financial Need of Those who Serve the Country
Military loans are exclusive loans that serve those people who have ever been the part of the armed forces. Retired army personnel or those who are still servin...
Discover The Perfect Place To Perform
As well as being able to play music, knowing exactly the type of venues you wish to perform in is equally crucial in order to help you produce ecstatic music th...
Adwords & Adsense: A Beginners Guide
This Atricle ihas been written to give Novice and Intermediate Webmasters an insight into PPC advertising. It is hoped that by reading this they will be able t...
Youth In A Changing World
Without the Bible the education of the child in the present state of the society is impossible -- Leo Tolstoy.
Van Morrison, Spiritual Rock Star
Here I am gazing on the Web for extraordinary witnesses of enlightenment yet very popular in the entertainment realm, so that at least everybody that read newag...
How To Track Your Advertising Like A Hawk
An article of 881 words with a focus on: how to develop an advertising tracking system, how to identify the advertising source and how to create a file for fol...
Know What You Want Out Of Life
At this point in time you have an opportunity to really analyze your life. Where you are right now and where you want to be in the future. Now is your chance to...
Natural Sources For Vitamins
This article talks about Natural sources for vitamins
A Cure for an Ailing Credit
Bad credit has serious repercussions for the individuals. They are refused loans by most of the lenders. This article explains the various methods to repair the...
Is Spam Affecting Your Business Email?
Even if you are a responsible email marketer spam can be harming your business.
Creating A Wedding Budget You Can Afford
How to create the best wedding possible within a budget that you can afford
Too Much Time Treating Symptoms
Ok we've all been there...in that space where management announces the 7th reorganization in 4 years. The reasons are even more perplexing. You know what the re...
|
Print this page