As a precaution, anyone who is allergic to peanuts or peanut byproducts should avoid this plant, as it contains some of the same compounds of peanuts, as is most evident by the names this plant has been given over the years. A simple way to test this, even if you don't have a peanut allergy is to test a small patch of skin with a piece of the tuber which would cause some kind of reaction in that area. Though of course, when in doubt, you can always ask your family doctor. It is these same compounds, however, that give groundnut tubers their uniquely nutty flavor.
Groundnut has several edible parts and has many of the same culinary applications as the potato. The tubers must be cooked to destroy protease inhibitors and making them safe to eat, usually being boiled or roasted, though they are delicious when fried. The tubers take one to three years to reach full maturity, but an adult plant usually develops a dozen or more tubers that are about the size of a hen's egg at full maturity. The tubers grow in chains, so once you find one, simply follow the root to find more. In fact, it was this feature of the plant that led to it being nicknamed the rosary plant by French traders to the early Native Americans. The tubers have the most starch in the fall and will therefore taste best if harvested in that time frame. The tubers are greatly known in other parts of the world for their health benefits, having around 17% protein by weight, three times more protein than the cultivated potato. Moreover, they have ten-fold the calcium content and two-fold the iron content of a potato, though considerably less vitamin C. The tubers also have nearly five percent fatty acids and are about thirty-six percent starch. Furthermore, the flowers, young seedpods, and vinetips can be eaten raw or cooked and are a great source of calories.
There have also been several studies suggesting further health benefits of groundnuts. A study found that hypertensive mice fed powered tubers as five percent of their total diet experienced a ten percent decrease in blood pressure and reduction in both triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Furthermore, groundnut tubers contain isoflavones, such as genistein, that have demonstrated numerous health benefits including anticarcinogenic functions against colon, prostate, and breast cancer.
So, remember, try and eat one wild food everyday! If you have questions or comments please email [email protected].