I grew up in Georgia, where it was common to see groves of trees and even utility poles and barnhouses covered with kudzu, the "vine that ate the South." What few people know is that the plant is edible, and delicious.
Originally brought to the US from Japan in 1876 to be used as forage food for livestock and to help reduce soil erosion, the plant took a real liking to the warm, humid Southeastern climate and got out of control. There are urban myths about how people have returned from vacations to find their homes and cars covered with kudzu. It does have pretty aggressive growth in the summer, with some reports of it growing a foot a day.
More @ The Kitchn
Goodness! That stuff is all over the place up here in Joisey!
ReplyDelete& it's free! :)
DeleteDuring the war we kids hiked up the Blue Ridge Parkway out of Asheville to the Mountain Meadows Inn. The kudzu had grown completely across the road in the absence of auto traffic. Next I'll probably hear that it can be smoked. We smoked about everything else then.
ReplyDeleteThe kudzu had grown completely across the road in the absence of auto traffic.
DeleteWow, what a story! Thanks. :)
The first I saw of kudzu was when I worked in Memphis. Prolific hardly describes how it can take over any space available and it reminded me of how prolific elephant grass could grow in the VietNam bush. If you could get 3 feet into elephant grass I don't think anyone would see you and kudzu looked to be the same.
ReplyDeleteThanks and if it is really delicious, why in the world isn't it marketed? Gotta try it since the price is right. :)
DeleteKudzu has absolutely no nutritional value and almost impossible to get rid of
ReplyDeletebecause the root is so deep.
Anon @10:01, you live in the south? If ya don't, then learn something, goats and cattle eat the stuff before they will eat alfalfa, it is very high in nutrition and fiber, yes the roots go deep, that is why it is so prolific and hard to eradicate. I know of ranchers that will buy or rent a tract of land that has overgrown with kudzu and fence it and place cattle on it. They then will allow the kudzu to grow back and do it again... rinse and repeat numerous times.
ReplyDeleteI liked the 'delicious' description and shall certainly check that out! :)
DeleteIf you go to any flea market or swap meet you can find jars of anything you ever knew and some you don't... you can find kudzu jelly and kudzu root and yes I have used young kudzu in salads and it tastes better the spinach. A southern boy will survive... like Mr Daniels sings...
DeleteThanks and I mentioned that to Dixie about the jelly/jam. I like the price,
Delete. :)