Cattail shoots, edible and tasty

My summer of CSA

When I signed up for a weekly half-share in a Community Supported Agriculture food drop, I had been hoping it would force me to try new fruits and vegetables.

In my first week, the wish came true. Mixed in with the assorted lettuces, spinach, radishes and kale were ... cattail shoots.

Yes, those fuzzy brown things you see growing in wetlands are edible. After peeling the bulk of the stringy and thus inedible shoot, you're left with a soft core that tastes like a woodsy celery.

A 1-ounce serving is just seven calories and is an excellent source of fiber, vitamins K and B6, calcium, magnesium, potassium and manganese.

I took the advice of my farm, Harvest Moon Farms in Viroqua, Wis., and used the shoots in a rice pilaf recipe provided by the farm, adding my own touches.

I wolfed down the first bowl and actually went back for seconds.

Next week: What else to do with all this kale.