Camas. Gathering Wild Food of the Pacific Northwest: Camassia

[@wesb.9672]

Lots of cool info. I’m currently trying to restore our 6 acre property in Tualatin (not too far from you) by planting a wide array of native and edible plants, Camas Lily included. Whenever people ask me what camas is and want to learn more I refer them to your video. I’d love for more people to become aware of this great plant; if people planted it in their yards camas could very well become a staple across Oregon again.

[@whitefawn01]

As a Native of the plains, Camas Bulbs are cooked underground for 3 days. Thanks for mentioning Native Americans.

[@cirquedumushroom]

I knew you lived in Oregon.... But I didn't know you were in the willamette valley. I go to West Linn High School, and there is a protected forested area right next to the school called Camassia, and during the spring it explodes with these blue camas flowers it's quite beautiful.

[@corypace1303]

Wow... next time I visit family in Oregon, I will have to hunt down some bulbs to try. Thanks for sharing. Warm regards from Alaska!

[@davidstarr6604]

Really enjoy learning about some wild edible plants I didnt know about before. Tyvm for posting

[@charityrocks]

A true pit oven will have wood coals under the rocks and a source of oxygen to keep it burning. Also should have an access hole as well to pour water into it to create more steam.

[@TheTribeOfBenjamin]

cool vid, Shawn! Nice info!...Ben

[@CrackyMcZap]

Inulin is also a main component of agave. I imagine if one were to mash and ferment camas, one could distill a unique Pacific Northwest tequila analogue. Aged in charred Oregon white oak?

[@wesb.9672]

CrackyMcZap It’s not liquor but I’m currently working on a camas beer recipe. I wonder if I should incorporate Oregon white oak somehow, just to make it that much more of a Northwest drink. Great tip!

[@zinckensteel]

@@wesb.9672 I've succeeded in converting inulin from sunchokes and other sources into fermentable sugars. Using as much citric acid as I feel like having to neutralize out in the end and prolonged simmering on an induction heater the inulin is broken down via hydrolysis. I use calcium hydroxide to neutralize excess acid and let the non-soluble calcium citrate settle out as it cools. Typically I would then cook this down in much the same way I do maple sap, filtering multiple times while hot as I go to remove the precipitates. Recently I started experimenting with an instant pot pressure cooker for much faster inulin conversion - with a bag of purchased agave inulin I made a very tasty golden syrup with only an hour of cook time. How did your camas beer turn out?

[@akai454]

Wonderful , I've always been interested in finding wild edibles and You described these and showed plenty or examples to make it easier to identify , and showed what not to eat , Thank You . I live in Portland OR and so this is great because it's in My area . Thank You again and Take Care .

[@OntheTrailwithDale]

Great vid Shawn, not sure if I have Camas this far south, but found it informative just the same. Thanks for posting!!

[@ogadlogadl490]

Excellent presentation! You sell the bulbs? Would like to start the process of saving seed of these and planting in the yard as an ace up the sleeve in case needed as food.

[@fr33f4l4st1ne]

the Kalapuya and most all other tribes who ate Camas are still here. It feels like an act of honoring them to try to replant and reintroduce such an important staple to their peoples that settlers destroyed in coming here. Thanks for sharing!

[@cetuspa]

You should try making cinnamon buns from ground Camas flour....they are UNBELIEVABLY delicious and moist. Really!

[@PrimalOutdoors]

Great information I don't know if I am quite ready to go after Camas I would hate to get a hold of one of those death camas bulbs by accident. Jason

[@wesb.9672]

Primal Outdoors - Camping and Photography You learn to identify the differences and then harvest only the blue and purple varieties. Never harvest a bulb you’re unsure of!

[@FlintSpall]

very insightful and well explained as all your videos are.I should be more health conscience myself,but I'd probably just eat french fries.lol

[@Tossdart]

Thanks Shawn. Again this knowledge is not easily come by. Too old for this type of challenge but in any case.

[@RyanCrezee]

If the basal plates are left behind and re-buried when harvesting the bulbs, then they can regrow the next season!

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

Ryan Crezee what are basal plates?

[@fr33f4l4st1ne]

@@OverOnTheWildSide basal plates are the bottom of a bulb where the roots come out, like on a garlic or onion bulb

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

@@fr33f4l4st1ne ah thank you

[@babyroxasman]

Looking at native american stuff and your website was at the top of the page!

[@ceili]

Am I missing something or was there no mention of what it tastes like when cooked?!!!!

[@philsarao]

Listen again, I believe I heard him say it had a sweet taste.

[@petergray7576]

The Inulin breaks down into (mostly) fructose, so rather like a sweet onion in texture and taste.

[@redtapereed-walterreed-wal7000]

Excellent!

[@bradleyphillips7730]

Hi Shawn! I see you're from Oregon. Would you be interested in a skills gathering? Echoes In Time is July 20-24 this year at Champoeg State park. It's a great little gathering with lots of fun folks. You can check it out online. We'd love to see you there!

[@wesb.9672]

bradley phillips That sounds awesome! I live pretty close to Champoeg, I really need to check this out.

[@saberone000]

fantastic video!

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

Thanks for the vid, I’m hoping to gather camas this year

[@Cognitoman]

Where you live in Oregon

[@nengthao5618]

Does it taste like an onion?

[@graphiccontent98]

Great, I love it :)

[@sempi8159]

awesome video

[@bvegas80]

That's pretty cool man.

[@dorasoteno4696]

What is this "Wild Food Challenge" you speak of, Sir?

[@QuantumMech_88]

He can't answer you because the idiot died of camas poisoning .

[@zurkel1098]

Let me guess, Estacada, or Mollala?

[@renegaderainman2555]

I'm on the Coast in LC 👍👀

[@Marcelsk811]

This is very interesting I might try it :)

[@trashmonkey608]

White is deadly whare i live. We also get blue.

[@HendersonHinchfinch]

That's an interesting hobby you have there.

[@NN-lu2zb]

comment cuzzzz

[@7volcast]

Can you be my dad please