Alpine sweetvetch

Hedysarum alpinum, H. hedysaroides

root

Roots tasting of sweet carrot and licorice, raw, boiled or fried in fat, a staple of the Iñupiat.

Origin

Alaska, Yukon and Siberia

Where to find it

On river gravel bars; the Iñupiat call them “masu”.

Season (United States)

August to October · grows in your region

Preparation

Only the root, and from an identified plant: Mackenzie's sweetvetch, reputed toxic, looks like it; it has leaflets without visible veins and larger bright purple flowers.

Molecules

In small amounts, not counted Insoluble fibers

Did you know?

The Iñupiat harvested them in autumn from the caches that voles had made.