Black bryony shoots ✦

Respountchous

What it is

In the Tarn and the Rouergue these climbing shoots are pulled from the hedges for a few weeks each spring; the name is usually traced to the Occitan for something that hides, which is what they do among the brambles. Everything else on the plant — root, stem, red berries — is toxic, so only the young tips ever come home.

In the kitchen

Boil 5 to 8 minutes in a large pan of unsalted water and throw that water out — the bitterness leaves with it. Then vinaigrette while still warm, or straight into beaten egg for an omelette; never raw.

Goes with

Egg Olive oil Red wine vinegar Shallot Walnut oil Garlic Smoked cured pork belly

Same species

Nagaimo (Chinese yam) Yam

In season alongside

Dandelion greens Fiddlehead fern Good King Henry Huauzontle Kale Wild asparagus

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