Lesson 6.41.1 PIT PIT – harvesting and food value

 

FOOD FOREST COURSE

AGRO-ECONOMY Lesson 6.41.1 

PIT PIT – harvesting and food value

 

Harvesting

The tall pitpit has only the one flowering stalk per plant to offer for food value.  The stem is cut a few nodes away from the base of the inflorescence but the stem immediately below the flower is also tender to eat and can be included.  After several years of harvesting, the edible portions become smaller in size and the plant is then usually abandoned.  The flowering stalk can be eaten raw, but it is usually cooked over an open flame for a few minutes and when cooked the outer sheaths are peeled back to reveal the inner tender stalk and inflorescence for consumption.

 

Short pitpit takes about four to five months from planting until you are able to start harvesting the yummy stalks.  It is ready when the stalks become swollen enough to harvest.  Break off the entire stalk from the base of the plant then snap off the stalk above the last node along the stem and also break off the section where the leaves emerge from the top of the stalk.  Peel back the outer leaves (like the lemon grass stalks) and an inner core will be revealed and this is the edible part.  Each stem delivers only about 12cm worth of edible portion, but if the plants are abundant and lush there will be quite a bit of food altogether.

 

The interesting part I found when I learnt about this plant was that not only does every stalk offer a bit of food to enjoy but new planting material becomes available with every stalk you harvest.  The bottom section of the stalk, where the nodes are situated, can be replanted somewhere else in the garden.  The top part of every stalk also has some leaf matter to be taken off and this becomes mulch for the garden as it is thrown onto the ground.  This makes pitpit a very productive plant.  This is the kind of gardening I like!

 

I have seen pitpit growing in many permaculture gardens and it always seems to look leggy and neglected.  This maybe due to the fact that most people are unfamiliar with this humble crop and fail to harvest it often enough if at all.  If it isn’t harvested at all then it will keep on growing and become gangly and unproductive.  Well-tended pitpit also looks very attractive and gives the garden that lush and abundant tropical look.

 

Food value

Short pitpit is much favoured by PNG women and children and whilst it can be eaten raw as a garden snack, too much raw pitpit may cause a bellyache.  Simply boil it for about twenty to thirty minutes and peel the outer layers off and eat as is or add to salads.  Cooked pitpit can also have a coconut cream sauce or a white cheese sauce and these can be served over the pitpit and placed under the grill until lightly browned.Text from the roots, Elisabeth Ferkonia (Aus.) PDC studied with Bill Mollison.

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