Edible Mountain – How To Safely Eat Pokeweed Shoots

Pokeweed has been eaten in Appalachia for generations. Many West Virginians have fond memories of their grandmother heaping piles on their plate of this delicious cooked green, which is often compared to asparagus in taste.

But it’s poisonous and deadly when eaten raw. Learn the safe way to collect and prepare pokeweed shoots from naturalist Bill Beaty.

Poke comes from the Algonqin word meaning “blood,” referring to the purplish stem and berries of the plant. The berries also are extremely poisonous and should never be eaten.

Please collect pokeweed shoots with caution. If you’re unsure of what you’re doing, find an expert to collect and cook pokeweed shoots with you.

Edible Mountain is a bite-sized, digital series from WVPB that showcases some of Appalachia’s overlooked and underappreciated products of the forest while highlighting their mostly forgotten uses.

Disclaimer: Folks, we hope that you take caution when entering the forest. Please always be aware of your surroundings, while treading lightly, so as to not disturb the natural joy and wonder that our wilderness provides.

Although most of the flora or fauna described in Edible Mountain has been identified by experts in the field, it is critical to your health and safety that you properly identify any item in the forest before eating or touching it. If you are uncertain about anything, please leave it alone and ask for an expert’s advice. Many dangerous plants and fungi share similar properties, which make them easily confused with their nonlethal relatives.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) wants you to discover, protect and enjoy your natural surroundings. We do not want to see you harmed. Please harvest sustainably so that the bounty can be enjoyed by future generations.

The information contained within Edible Mountain is for general information purposes only. WVPB assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents on this service. WVPB make no guarantees as to the accuracy of the information presented, and any action you take upon the information in this program is strictly at your own risk.

In no event shall WVPB or contributors be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the service or the contents of the service. WVPB reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modification to the contents on the service at any time without prior notice.