Strip the
pollen from the tops of cattail spikes in late spring / early summer. (It's
a fuzzy spike above the actual "cat's tail", and you want to strip off all
the pollen fuzz along with the yellow pollen powder.) Mix the pollen (and
fuzz) with an equal portion of flour, then proceed as normal to make a
pancake mixture. (I use eggs, milk, a bit of sugar, and a pinch of salt).
Follow standard procedure for frying.
The bright yellow pollen makes the pancakes come out a deliciously golden
color, while the brown fuzz gives it a speckled look and texture similar to
buckwheat.
Instead of using maple syrup (unless you live in the North, where it's a
"local and wild" product), try topping it with chokecherry jelly or sauce
made from some other locally harvested wild fruit
|
