Ever Eaten the Cattails?

[raptorbite]

I just got into foraging and found out that the cattails that you see in the shores of marshes are edible. Seems that if you peel the layers off, there is a starchy center which you can chew and suck up. The Rhizomes in the roots can be dug up and boiled to be eaten like a potato.

I plan to pick at least a dozen cattails that the next time I see more in Kirkland

[obryan214]

heard of that years ago and meant to try it but haven't gotten around to it

[FishingFool]

Saw this on SurvivorMan. Never tried it but in the show The root bulb can be really bitter. Also the fluffy stuff makes great fire starter.

[primetime]

I think there are some things that should be left to eat only in survival situations?

[Bodofish]

I've eaten lots of them in the past. That said, there's a reason not many folks eat them and I'd be very wary of where you pick them, definitely check the water quality.

[panfisher]

I've eaten a lot of the nice tender spikes that are a part of the root system. Actually easy to get and I like the taste, Sort of Cucumbery!

[schu7498]

Catails are important to wetlands because they pull toxins from the water and store them in their tubers. So be sure to only harvest cattails from pristine wetlands.