Boil the leaves and shoots in two changes of water if using older leaves. If very young leaves you will be OK to just boil them. If in doubt, do as follows: Poke Salad is poison if not cooked correctly. Let boil a few minutes, drain the water off and boil again. After a few minutes, drain and add more water. After adding water the third time, cook until tender. Drain well and squeeze out the juice with a fork. Now try one of the following recipes:

*Place poke salad hot in a bowl and top with boiled eggs.

*Add some olive oil to a pan and saute’ poke salad with leeks or onions.

*Add oil to a pan and put the poke salad in, when good and hot, break an egg into the pan and stir with a fork. Continue to fry until the egg is done.

*Cut the whole plant when it is about 8 inches high. Cut this up like okra and parboil once if desired. Roll in flour or cornmeal, salt and pepper and fry.

This is often eaten with some fried streak meat.

(this is sometimes spelled Polk Salad)

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