Some folks turn their nose up to acorns as food, but acorns are to be respected. They sustained Native populations for thousands of years. They are not poisonous but you must leach them first. Added to recipes, they are delicious. Many a dish is made better by the addition of acorns. Gather ‘em, crack ‘em, leach ‘em, cook ‘em and eat ‘em.
Suellen Ocean is the author of Acorns and Eat’em, a how-to vegetarian cookbook and field guide for eating acorns:
Native Americans used and still use today, acorns from oak trees that grew around them. In the past, some Native American families ate hundreds of pounds of acorns every year. In the valleys of California there is a large oak with large acorns, the tree is called the Valley Oak. Of course, it was and still is a fine acorn and those living close to it have benefited from all the meat in these large acorns. But another acorn, a tiny one so bitter the Latin name is Quercus Revoltus, was probably used by Indians who lived in its habitat because they utilized the food that grew around them. One tribe buried their acorns in the wet ground until they turned pink because that made them sweeter. What was happening was the acorn was sprouting in the wet soil, turning it from a starch to a sugar state, making it much more palatable.
Suellen Ocean is the author of Acorns and Eat’em, a how-to vegetarian cookbook and field guide for eating acorns. Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYZNA9H
Nature never ceases to amaze me. Did you know that a woodpecker has a tongue that is twice the length of its beak? It is so long, when not in use, it wraps up inside the bird’s head cavity. When it is in use, it drills down ant hills and scoops out the prey. Here’s the sad part. When there aren’t enough acorns, woodpeckers die. And you know the dead trees that are full of holes that are full of acorns? Those are called granaries and they take years to build up and support woodpecker communities.
As more and more people learn to enjoy cooking with acorns, I hope they will not forget the myriad of woodland animals who depend on them for food. It’s that time of year. Let’s gather acorns. But let’s leave an abundance for the birds.
Suellen Ocean is the author of Acorns and Eat’em, a how-to vegetarian cookbook and field guide for eating acorns, http://www.amazon.com/Acorns-Eatem-How–Vegetarian-Cookbook/dp/1491288973 and Secret Genealogy IV – Native Americans Hidden in Our Family Trees. http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Genealogy-IV-Native-Americans/dp/1500756105
I received this poster and I was asked to spread the word. I don’t usually do this but I love Native American arts and crafts. If I was in Tuscon, I would swing by there…
I have asked this question myself, in the early days when I first wanted to eat wild foods. Are acorns safe to eat? The answer is yes. Acorns sustained Native Americans for thousands of years. Cultures throughout the world, living in temperate climates where oaks grow, also ate acorns. In Spain, they made spirits from acorns. In England, the peasants ate them. Pagan history shows a grand reverence for the oak and the acorn. Naturalist John Muir recorded his travels and left us with his belief that the acorn was “strengthening.” My biggest surprise is that the “civilized” world has overlooked them for so long. Sometimes I celebrate holidays with a bowl of acorn dip, made from the acorns of California Valley Oaks. It’s delicious and the next time I go to the store, I’m picking up the ingredients to make more. Suellen Ocean is the author of Acorns and Eat’em, a how-to vegetarian cookbook and field guide for eating acorns. Find it here: http://www.amazon.com/Acorns-Eatem-How–Vegetarian-Cookbook/dp/1491288973
When Americans study genealogy, they find all kinds of things they weren’t expecting. That’s what makes it fun. One of the surprises in your family tree may be a branch of American Indian ancestry. But how can you tell? How can you find out for sure? It’s not always easy, especially when their Indian names have been changed. But there are things you can look for and surname lists you can check. A lot of Americans have Indians in their tree and they are not aware of which ancestors they are. A little study of Indian territory maps and a look at Indian removal rolls might send your genealogical sleuthing in a whole different direction.
Suellen Ocean is the author of Secret Genealogy IV – Native Americans Hidden in Our Family Trees. Available here:
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Genealogy-IV-Native-Americans/dp/1500756105
eBook or computer download through Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ocean
Join the list of people who know they have Native American ancestry but can’t find it. It’s hard! Why is that? One reason is because Indians who were passing as Caucasians didn’t want to be found out. They were carving a new life for themselves at a time when Indians were being “removed” to reservations. If it meant they could stay somewhere and build a family farm, they told people they were Black German or Black Dutch. Another reason was because there weren’t many records kept on the Indians until a later date. Sure, the Calvary kept lists for various reasons, and there are some partial early lists kept by the government but American Indians weren’t on census records until later. And of course they had Indian names that we have almost no chance of ever knowing. But there are places you can look. It takes time and patience, probably years. But while you are looking for your Native ancestors, you’ll come in contact with their colorful history and culture.
Suellen Ocean is the author of Secret Genealogy IV – Native Americans Hidden in Our Family Trees. Available here:
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Genealogy-IV-Native-Americans/dp/1500756105
eBook or computer download through Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ocean
We have all heard about the “Trail of Tears.” What many of us don’t know is that there were many trails of tears for Native People. As European newcomers ventured further west the United States government found more and more excuses to “remove” the Indians from their homelands. In 1827 the US government made plans to remove all the Native People from Illinois by 1830. In his new presidency, Andrew Jackson oversaw this “Removal Act” which meant that Native people of all ages were “removed” to new Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River. Imagine the sadness and hardship the Indians had to endure, thousands died from sickness and the harsh weather. The Indians gave Andrew Jackson the name Sharp Knife. Perhaps you have a suspicion that one of your ancestors was Indian. Knowing the dates of removals can help you piece together a timeline to try to figure it all out. Suellen Ocean is the author of Secret Genealogy IV – Native Americans Hidden in Our Family Trees. Available here: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Genealogy-IV-Native-Americans/dp/1500756105
The best way to crack acorns is with a “Texan Nut Sheller”. Even after thirteen years it is still razor sharp. It works especially well on dry acorns. Be careful it is very sharp, NO KIDS and WATCH YOUR FINGERS!
Cracking Acorns
Suellen Ocean is the author of Acorns and Eat’em, a how-to vegetarian cookbook and field guide for eating acorns. Find it here: http://www.amazon.com/Acorns-Eatem-How–Vegetarian-Cookbook/dp/1491288973
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