Some areas are designated protected wetlands which would make any foraging of plants against local bylaws. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the area before you go foraging.Īlso, make sure the area is not a protected wetland. You certainly don’t want to be picking cattails from contaminated water. The water may be filled with chemicals, or contain runoff from agricultural land. Sometimes cattails are used to restore wetlands and other waterways. Foraging tips for cattailsĬattails aren’t something you’ll find readily at the grocery store, or even the farmers market, so you’ll need to go foraging.Ī note of caution before you start foraging for cattails: cattails grow in and around water, it’s vital that the water source is clean. The rhizome is high in starch with a bit of protein as well. The inner rhizome is a flour substitute when dried and ground up. The lower portion of each stem along with the rhizome can be treated like a potato and lends itself well to roasting, boiling, baking, and can even be consumed raw. Rhizomes (the underwater stem portion): The rhizomes have a slightly sweet flavor and are very versatile. When steamed, they have a cabbage-like flavor.įlower stalks (flower heads): When the outer sheath is removed, the inside can be steamed or boiled similar to corn-on-the-cob. Some say young cattail shoots have an asparagus-taste (which explains its other name Cossack asparagus). It’s best to consume raw cattail in springtime, and cook them if you’re harvesting later in the year as they tend to get more fibrous. When eaten raw, they have a similar taste to cucumbers-try pickling them. Young cattail shoots: Eaten raw or cooked. It has a slightly nutty, earthy flavor.īrown fuzz: Make your own chewing gum when you combine the cattail’s brown fuzz with tallow (rendered fat). It’s naturally a vibrant yellow or green color which adds a splash of color to your baked goods. So what parts of the cattail are edible? And what does cattail taste like? Let’s take a closer look.Ĭattail pollen: Used as a flour alternative. Credit: Biodiversity Heritage Library / Flickr, n558_w1150 How to eat the cattail plant: cattail edible parts
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