I never knew one could eat a cattail but the things you discover while surfing on the internet are astounding. I personally have never eaten a cattail as far as I can recall though I grew up on a small Vermont farm so anything is possible. My grandmother could make a delicious meal out of anything homegrown and wild. Perhaps that is why she lived to be almost 100 years old. There is something to be said about growing your own fruits, vegetables and living on a farm. It's wholesome, good, clean living and not one that is pasteurized and full of preservatives.

Here are two recipes requiring cattails. I have never tried them but may do so in the future. What the hell, right?

Enjoy.

Cattail Casserole

* 2 cups scrapped spikes
* 1 cup bread crumbs
* 1 egg, beaten
* ½ cup milk
* Salt and pepper
* 1 onion diced
* ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese



* Preheat the oven to 350°.
* Blend the scraped off cattail grains with the bread crumbs.
* Beat the egg and stir into the bread crumb mixture.
* Sauté the onions (and other vegetables, such as mushrooms, peppers etc. as you wish).
* Combine the vegetables and the breadcrumb mix, season to taste and pour into a casseroles dish.
* Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top and bake in the oven for 25 minutes. Serve while piping hot.

Cattail Banana Muffins

* 1 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup cattail pollen
* 3 tablespoons buttermilk
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* ¼ teaspoon baking soda
* ½ cup butter, softened
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1 cup honey
* 2 eggs
* 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas
* ½ cup chopped walnuts



* Heat the oven to 350° (175°C). Grease and flour a 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners.
* Combine the dry ingredients: flour, cattail pollen, buttermilk, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl; make a well in the center.
* In separate bowl, cream butter, oil and honey. Add eggs, beating thoroughly. Mix in banana. Pour mixture into well. Mix batter until just moistened; do not over mix. Gently fold in walnuts. If the mixture is too dry, add a little milk.
* Fill prepared muffin tins two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool on wire rack.