Long before the era of Pop Tarts, Cocoa Puffs, Twinkies and Big Macs, our ancestors lived exclusively on wild food which they gathered and hunted. Anthropologists state that the average gatherer/ hunter walked five to seven miles daily in search of food. Depending on climate, season and geography, roots, leaves, berries, nuts and seeds were among the main sources of nutrients. Wild animals, fish and insects supplemented forager's diets.
For the majority of human existence we grew no grain, raised no meat, milked no cows. Our food had no labels, packaging or advertising campaigns. At times food was scarce, at times it was abundant. Our daily occupation was to find enough to eat. Somehow our species succeeded in feeding itself well enough through the millenia to reproduce and survive without benefit of a single manufactured food product.
Often overlooked and under appreciated, roots are nutritious, affordable and simple to prepare. Most roots can be baked, steamed, roasted or stewed; just scrub and apply some sort of heat until tender. Roast a selection of cut up roots in a baking dish, or mash steamed roots with a little sea salt, olive oil and herbs for a delicious meal. Create flavorful, healthy soup by simmering beets with carrots, celery and onion.
When shopping for roots and tubers, look for those which are organically grown. Specimens without breaks in the skin are preferable but superficial blemishes will not affect quality. Not all roots are beautiful, but they have sustained human life for generations. Winter is the ideal season to return to our roots!
