Quoting Michael Loo to Jim Weller <=-

What's fireweed good for

The whole plant is edible. Starting at the bottom:

The starchy root can be roasted after scraping off the outside.
They are OK in the spring before the plant blossoms but become
bitter later in the season. Parboiling in two changes of water
first helps.

Young leaves and shoots are good in mixed salads and can be cooked
like any other vegetable. Older shoots are tough but the pith of
older stems is consumable when peeled.

The flower buds and blossom are the best part. They can be eaten raw
or cooked and used to flavour jellies and syrups. If you have bees
to help you the honey is amazing.

--MM

Fireweed and Clover Syrup

equal amounts of pink and/or white clover flowers and fireweed flowers
equal volumes of water and white sugar.

Clean the flowers and place in a large pot. Add water to cover and
stir well. Let sit 15 minutes then bring to a boil. Add sugar and
simmer gently for 5 minutes. Let cool slightly. Strain into clean
jars. The liquid will thicken into a syrup as it continues to cool.

JW

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Cheers

Jim


... We eat the most kinds of animals. Don't mess with us. We run this rock

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