Milkweed Buds

During a late summer hike a couple of years ago, I gathered a handful of milkweed pods while crossing a field. When I got home, I opened the pods and scattered the seeds around my property. I planted my first milkweed crop.

When nothing appeared last year, I figured my experimental crop had failed and completely forgot about it. So I was surprised and delighted when I came across a small stand of milkweed in my field the other day.

Milkweed is a delicious wild food. You can eat all parts of the plant. I am particularly partial to the buds and the young pods. When I discovered my new milkweed crop the other day, the plants were covered with buds, so I steamed some and ate them for lunch with butter and salt.

Milkweed has a very distinctive taste. There’s no way I can think to describe it; it just takes like milkweed. You’ll have to try it for yourself and see if you like it.