Bracken

[Ketchup]

When will the bracken be up again?

I found some references that bracken shoots (when still croziershaped and easily broken) make excellent food and were used as food in the past in UK. Boil like asparagus...

I suppose bracken is Pteridium aquilinum IIt doesn't grow around here in Brussels (it does in Wallonia) Maybe someone could try it for me and report on it?

When I lived in the South Pacific, we had fern shoots regularly. The brids nest fern we all know from flower shops (Asplenium nidus avis) tasted absolutely great. Especially when cooked the Fijian way, "vakalolo" (in coconut cream) Hmmmm.

 

[bambodoggy]

I think there is now a school of thought that it's actually toxic or carsonagenic or something nasty...somebody on here will know

Hope that helps,

Bam.

 

[Ketchup]

Well well, what a pity. And there's plenty of it in the world.

I found that in a book, titled "Food in England", a recent re-edition of a 1950's original.

 

[Marts]

I remember reading somewhere that the spores were carcinogenic also but I don't remember if that was if you ate them or if you just breathed them in.

Breathe them in. That's why you shouldn't use bracken as a lining material on a leaf shelter that is going to be used for any extended time. I slept in one once that was lined with bracken. The inside of the shelter was coated with the nasty little white spores. Got no sleep at all and had crappy lungs the next morning (and i'm a smoker so I know about crappy lungs!)

 

[Pignut]

Oh Poo!

You are telling me this 15 years to late!

We where always told it was OK

(Mind you, I probably have not had any for the past 10 years)

 

[kata]

Oh Poo!

You are telling me this 15 years to late!

We where always told it was OK

(Mind you, I probably have not had any for the past 10 years)

Yeah but these guys are on about eating the stuff, not smoking it....

 

[Pignut]

LOL!

Those where the days

 

[eraaij]

Isn't it so that the young shoots are safe to eat? Older versions of the plants should not be touched, but I always assumed younger shoots to be editble.

-Emile

 

[match]

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Pteridium+aquilinum

Sounds like it is edible, but there is some carcinogenic risk, so it shouldn't be a staple part of your diet. Its probably one of those things where you just have to make your own mind up really.

I'd be interested to see what kind fo glue it produces from the roots though - probably reasonably good due to the high starch content.

 

[Pignut]

Think you are right!

Make up your own mind but small quantities should be fine (Thank God)

 

[Marts]

You could always get Storm to test it. he'll eat anything!