During the fall harvest at Aycock Gardens, Montagnard Dega clients were harvesting the top portion of the tomato plant. When asked, they confirmed they were bringing them home to eat. Later, evening students confirmed that Bunong people used tomato leaves for cooking, but other tribes did not.
Although controversial, a summer article in the NY Times debunked a lot of the dangers attributed to tomato leaves. The NY Times also lists a recipe using tomato leaf.
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Pumpkin, or actually, kabocha squash, is a favorite among the Dega. It is very easy to grow and the vines can be immense. Vine tips, including tendrils and young leaves, are favored as well as blossoms. The vine is peeled to reveal the tender interior before cooking.
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In the early summer, Montagnard Dega were weeding a large garden and picking bunches of young pigweed. Most online NC information on pigweed is devoted to its control and eradication but other literature reminds us that as an amaranth it is an important food found throughout the world.
Pigweed preparation.
Pigweed preparation.
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