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
This particular recipe is Phillipian. Here are the ingredients you... Read More
Grilling recipes give people tremors just thinking of the explosive... Read More
Firing up the grill is a great way to cook... Read More
Got an urge for a homemade cookie snack but don't... Read More
With the long hot days of summer, you will find... Read More
Braised fish in soy sauce is the basic craft of... Read More
There are three great days in the month of May... Read More
Many people have different ideas on how to prepare great... Read More
For the British at least, Shrove Tuesday is probably better... Read More
I was sitting there watching one of my favorite tv... Read More
I became a vegetarian in the early 80's. The Czech... Read More
My ex reminded me last week that the holiday that... Read More
Green vegetables are the food most missing in modern diets.... Read More
Have you been searching for cooking instructions for prime rib... Read More
I have eaten some weird and wonderful dishes around the... Read More
The world has opened eyes to the harmful side-effects of... Read More
Do you remember Grandma's apple cobbler? Is spaghetti one of... Read More
Love the taste of prime rib? Love the taste of... Read More
I absolutely loved experimenting with foreign recipes, especially dessert recipes,... Read More
Ingredients 5-6 lbs. Whole Rockfish 1 Onion 1 Lemon... Read More
Family bean curd is Sichuan's famous characteristic dish. Its main... Read More
Sweet and sour fish is one of the most popular... Read More
Want to serve an elegant, yet easy, dessert? Try truffles.... Read More
A customer emailed us and said that her mother loved... Read More
"It is just sensible."exclaimed my friend. She was referring to... Read More
This chili recipe is, indeed, a really nightmare! Taste it... Read More
This is a mouth watering steak. Every time I serve... Read More
It's nice when I find a meal where the foods... Read More
Just because you are watching your weight, doesn't mean the... Read More
One of my fondest childhood memories is the celebrations around... Read More
These pasta recipes are excellent for dinners or parties.In this... Read More
Nothing tastes better than fresh picked strawberries. For many people,... Read More
Oh, for the lazy days of Summer.... As If!Nowadays we... Read More
If you are wondering what to prepare for dinner tonight,... Read More
Strudel Makes the WomanGrandpa Max loved butter cookies. He liked... Read More
New York style cheesecake recipes are made with a combination... Read More
Have you ever wondered if there was a healthful alternative... Read More
There are few garden vegetable that are prolific as zucchini... Read More
eRix Recipes London broil - Garlic Ingredients: ? 2... Read More
IngredientsRomaine Lettuce (head $1.29) 1 pound of steak ($10 per... Read More
Tired of the same old zucchini bread recipe and want... Read More
This particular recipe is Phillipian. Here are the ingredients you... Read More
A time honored Southern tradition, the infamous "Cat Head" biscuit... Read More
To those of us that don't know, crockpot recipes are... Read More
As I walked through the grocery store aisles a few... Read More
Fudge is a treat that everyone loves. It doesn't matter... Read More
SERVING SIZE,one roll (of 18). CARBS PER SERVING,: 2.8 grams... Read More
You will need:1 (18.25 ounce) box yellow cake mixFrostingSprinkles or... Read More
Anyone can create delicious homemade hot barbeque recipes once they... Read More
My mother was the daughter of Norwegian immigrants who homesteaded... Read More
This is a great summer salad, leaving you refreshed even... Read More
The Memphis Style pork rib is one of the most... Read More
I got an idea one day when I was in... Read More
Summer time is great for barbequing, but aren't you tired... Read More
In high school, learning a new recipe (especially dessert recipes)... Read More
Come August, there is nowhere I'd rather NOT be than... Read More
With the long hot days of summer, you will find... Read More
The very best thing about having birthday cake is the... Read More
I have eaten some weird and wonderful dishes around the... Read More
It seems that school starts earlier every year. So it's... Read More
One of my fondest childhood memories is being in the... Read More
Finding delicious low fat salmon recipes has just become easier... Read More
Ingredients600g white bread (I recommend baguette or any other kind... Read More
Ok. I never thought that the day would come when... Read More
Kid party food doesn't have to take hours to prepare... Read More
Firing up the grill is a great way to cook... Read More
Recipes & Food and Drink |