Ah , nightshades … you are so delightfully scary .

I had to do some research , but two long time ago I identify the strange pepper - like plants growing in my yard as “ Solanum americanum . ”

THE BLACK NIGHTSHADE !

Article image

So , of line , once I discover that the plant life was fill with toxic solanine and not at all good for Capricorn to eat … and that the Charles Edward Berry , when good , are apparently edible by humans ( this is proficient , because I caught the two - twelvemonth - previous with a mouthful and almost had a heart attack ) … I became overwhelmed with the desire to eat them .

Tentatively , after view the plants for a while to verify they would n’t sting me , I ate the first few ripe berry . No nausea , no dilatation of my schoolchild , no combustion in my backtalk or pharynx , and no visions of 40 - foot - tall vampire bat . So far , so unspoiled . Plus , they tasted like a mark between a Chuck Berry and a tomato . Really squeamish .

A day or two later , I ate some more . No problem .

black nightshade edible

Nightshade jam cooking down

Then , since I was still alive and knew the berries actually tasted good , I did what any good survivalist with a daredevil personality , a decided Betty Crocker gene , and a predilection for toxic plant would do : I made jam . you may too . Just do n’t get this plant mixed up with mortal nightshade or you ’ll whole decease . Heck , you might pass away doing this .

NOTE : Do n’t fault me if you die . This situation is for entertainment use only . Any resemblance to anything scientific or secure is purely co-occurrent .

FURTHER NOTE : If you go ahead and rust these , despite my warnings , take in out for bitter Charles Edward Berry . If you pick some in full ripe unity off a plant and they savour sulphurous , alternatively of pleasant , do n’t eat them and do n’t reap from that plant .

Article image

Here ’s how to make nightshade jam :

1 . piece 1.5 lbs of dangerous nightshade berries .

Nightshade kettle of fish cooking down

Article image

2 . Boil them with about 1/3 cup sugar and a tablespoonful of gamboge succus . Mash the berry as you go .

If you ’ve got more berries , make more jam . It ’s delicious .

I would n’t eat too much , though , because of death . Fortunately , solanine poisoning broadly exhibits itself with sickness long before you reach a fatal social disease . And boiling does n’t destroy solanine , so just bear that in mind.Amazon.com Widgets

make nightshade jam

Nightshade jam cooking down

The Marvels of the Rainforest: Cecropia, Insects and…

Cleaning a heart of palm

Smilax: Florida’s Asparagus

Pouteria multiflora

Foraging Pindo Palm Fruit

Calamondin Cocktails for Christmas

Pictures from the Springer Mountain Approach Trail

Survival Food Foraging Quick-Start Guide

Eating Chanterelles and Indigo Milk Caps: Wild Florida…

Simple Beauty

make nightshade jam

Nightshade jam cooking down

make nightshade jam

Article image

Article image