Pokeweed is a nutritional powerhouse, but be careful, it can also be toxic to humans if it’s not prepared correctly. This voluptuous weed is extremely high in vitamin A, and also has significant amounts of vitamin C, iron and calcium. Additionally, pokeweed contains a unique antiviral protein that may inhibit the growth of some herpes simplex viruses and even HIV!
Pokeweed is one of the first plants to sprout in the springtime. Because of that, its traditionally eaten to get people through the early spring, along with other “weeds” like chickweed and nettles. It also has lymphatic cleansing properties and helps the body with “spring cleaning. The best time to harvest pokeweed for food is before the plant reaches knee height (well before it flowers). When you weed your garden, pokeweed is one you might skip over, so you can enjoy its benefits.
Phytolacca americana (American pokeweed) with ripe berries
The common name, poke, comes from a word for “blood” or “dye” in a language indigenous to North America (probably Powhatan or Virginia Algonquin). That’s because pokeweed’s bright berries can be used to make dye when they’re ripe.
We teach about loads of edible weeds in our Online Gardening School
Poke salad or poke sallet?
Pokeweed is always eaten cooked. In fact, raw poke can make you sick or even kill you. It’s especially dangerous for children and older folks. Even though that sounds scary, don’t worry; we’re going to walk you through how to render this tender plant into something safe and delicious.
The term “poke salad” is actually a misnomer. Even though that’s what a lot of people call the most common pokeweed dish, its true name is poke sallet or poke salat. That’s because poke has been eaten for so long by our European ancestors here in North America. The word sallet comes from an older form of English, and refers to something like a cooked salad. So, now you know: “poke salad” is actually poke sallet.
How to make poke sallet (poke “salad”)
- Start two pots of water on the stove (covered), one the size to fit the poke that you have harvested, one at least 3 times this size
- Coarsely chop poke shoots
- When water has come to a boil in the small pot, and is close to or is boiling in the big pot, add poke to small pot. Stir, so that all poke is submerged
- Cook for approximately 2 minutes, or until water returns to a boil
- Place lid over small pot in such a way that it stops greens from escaping as you pour offwater, or use colander to drain water, then put greens back in small pot
- Pour already boiling water from big pot over poke in small pot, cook for approximately 2 minutes, or until water returns to a boil
- Repeat steps 4 and 5 one to three more times, depending on flavor preference, and tolerance of (and desire for) the lymphatic cleansing and poison ivy relieving effects of pokeweed
- Optional: add salt and the traditional combo of bacon grease and molasses
After processing in such a manner, greens should still be bright green and appear vital. Enjoy!
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