Fruit Recipe Cooking Articles >>Digging Up Earthnuts (Conopodium Majus)
by Simon Mitchell
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.
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About The Author
Simon Mitchell
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
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The Wonderful World Of Peanuts
by Lara Velez
HISTORY
Before I begin with the history of peanuts you should probably know that the peanut is not a nut. The "pea"nut is actually more closely related to the pea. It is a member of the legumes family. Also, peanuts do not grow in trees like nuts do. They grow on the ground. They start out as flowers, and eventually wind up burrowing underground. Under ground is where they become a delicious peanut.
OK - so where did these little guys come from you ask? Well, they are thought to have originated in South America...possibly Brazil or Peru. When the Portuguese began to explore "The New World," they took peanuts back home with them. Portuguese traders took them as far as Asia and Africa.
In the United States, peanuts became popular during 
The Wonderful World Of Peanuts
Recipe
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"Fruit Baskets" the most Unique Incredible Edible Gift Of All !
by Anna Teoli
Fruity Fresh Fruit Baskets Or Fruit gift baskets is the oldest traditional gift which still today is considered unique and one of the most overwhelming edible gifts of all .
Fruit baskets usually contain organic seasonal fruit combinations and are very often mixed with flowers , wines, gourmet foods ,NUTS and chocolates .
In Ancient times fruit gift baskets were given to kings on special events to show appreciation ,worthiness,and generosity .
The kings would then gather up with they siblings accompanied by wine and enjoy natures ultimate gift and celebrate.
Fruit baskets usually contain the freshest form of fruit , fruits must be carefully chosen in its peak of ripeness ,fruit baskets are usually accompanied by gourmet cheeses , "Fruit Baskets" the most Unique Incredible Edible Gift Of All !
Recipe
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Oatmeal-Apple-Raisin Muffins
by LeAnn R. Ralph
These muffins are not only tasty, but they're also a good source of fiber. In recent years, health experts have come to realize that fiber is an important part of a heart-healthy diet. Using Canola oil also increases the health benefits of these muffins.
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice added)
1 cup oatmeal (either quick-cooking or old-fashioned oatmeal; I like to use the old-fashioned)
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup cooking oil
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 apple chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Pre-heat oven to 375 degr Oatmeal-Apple-Raisin Muffins
Recipe
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