Events - Poke Sallet Festival

Pokeweed is a large, perennial native plant that grows up to 8 feet tall. The leaves are large with large stems. When mature the the stems and leaf veins become red tinged. The adult plant finds its white flowers turning to shiny purple or black berries.

Pokeweed is found throughout the United States, usually in disturbed soils. It is often found along roadsides and near woods. Of the species Phytolacca Americana, poke is called by many names including inkberry, poke sallet, pigeonberry and pokeberry.

The berries delight curious children of all ages as the basis of a very good purple dye.

Warning: Berries, roots, and mature plants are considered poisonous. It is advised to select only new and young growth. Also any red tinged plant material should be discarded and never consumed. Do not harvest any plant material below ground level.

Pokeweeds stalks are found during the spring around old pokeweed plants. Tender young shoots can be peeled and parboiled in 2 changes of water several minutes for each boil. Boil the shoots in a third change of water until tender. Serve like asparagus.

Young leaves are gathered during the spring. Parboil in 2 changes of water. boil a third time until tender. Serve with added butter, vinegar and bacon bits. Or scramble the tender leaves with eggs and serve sprinkled with vinegar.

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