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BITTER ROOT (Sand Rose)

The “Bitter Root” plant grows on dry plains in the southern
interior of B.C. {t is a small plant with a pink flower and has a
tap-root which may be eaten. The roots are gathered in the
spring before the flowers appear. They are easily peeled at that
time. The bitter root plant is becoming scarce; for this reason
only a few should be taken. A tool, similar to a crowbar is used
to dig the roots from the ground.

To Prepare
1}. Separate the leaves and buds from the roots.

2. Peel the dark outer skin off the roots and wash
them well.

The roots may be sun dried, frozen or cooked for imme-
diate use.

BITTER ROOT PUDDING Mrs. Guiterrez - Douglas Luke

Combine dried bitter root with dried saskatoon berries and
boil until soft using the following proportions:
2 cups dried bitter root
1/2 cup dried saskatoon berries
] cup water

Prepare a smali amount of a stiff flour and water dough.
Roll a teaspoon of this mixture between the paims of both hands
to form a ‘“‘small noodle’. Drop enough “‘noodles”’ into the
cooking berry and root mixture to give it a pudding-like
consistency.

PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS Charlie Drainey — Deadman's Creek

Cooked prickly pear cactus is reported to taste like canned
peaches. The plant is often found growing in clumps in dry
areas of the Province. The thick, flat pads or leaves are covered
with small clumps of spines and the red, oblong fruit have hair-
like spines. The spines are burned off over a campfire or open

flame. The skin and remaining spines are peeled off after
cooking.

MOUNTAIN POTATOES Mrs. Guiterrez - Douglas Lake

The oulbs of the Mariposa Lily plant are called “mountain”
or “wild potatoes’. The plant has grass-like leaves and is found
on the sage brush covered hills of British Columbia's Interior.
The ‘potatoes’, ot bulbs, are about the size of an acorn and
are dug when the plant is in flower. Long ago they were
threaded on strips of maple bark and steamed tn pits; now they
ure Steamed in saucepans on top of the stove. When the
“potatoes” are soft they are served hot as a vegetable.

WILD CELERY Mrs. Denis Sum — Shutlus

Wild celery plants grow in meadows in some parts of the
Interior. The plants are delicate in appearance with small yellow
flowers that appear in May and early June. The whole plant
has a definite celery aroma. Small pieces of stalk are added to
soups and meat dishes for flavouring.