Knot just another weed

This is an older post from last year that was never published, but since spring is in the air, and this is one of the first forage-able crops of spring we thought it was worth publishing it now.  Knotweed shoots start appearing in mid April here in southeastern Pennsylvania.  Look for it along streams, but it will grow almost anywhere.  Patches of knotweed from last year will look similar to short bamboo.  Click for more information on Japanese Knotweed from wildman Steve Brill.


The early bird gets the worm, but in our case the early forager gets the Japanese knotweed.
Japanese knotweed is considered by most to be a highly offensive weed.  It is an introduced species and highly invasive.  To others it is considered a food source, comparable to rhubarb.  One person's weed is another person's dinner.  You know? 
Joe and I first heard about the plant last fall, well past harvesting time.  We spent the winter dreaming of an overly abundant, free source of rhubarb substitute.

Spring at last!  After only a few foraging trips we have close to 10 bags of chopped knotweed in our freezer in addition to having made one batch of knotweed jam, one of jelly, knotweed bars and a small amount cooked and eaten in oatmeal. 
Joe and I used a recipe from ... The 3 Foragers blog.

Knotweed is one of those early foraging plants and one of the first things that is easily obtainable in the spring.  It is tart but not as tart as rhubarb and resembles asparagus. 

Stay tuned for upcoming recipes concerning knotweed.