Pignut

Conopodium majus A perennial herb generally distributed throughout the British Isles, it is found in fields and woods and flowers from May to July. In some soils the pignuts may be obtained by pulling on the root that leads down to the tuber, but in most soils the roots break off very quickly and must be unearthed with a knife and carefully traced down to the tuber.

Pechey, in 1694, reported that ‘Our Country-people eat the Root raw; but when it is pill’d and boyl’d in fresh Broth, with a little Peper, it is pleasant Food, and very nourishing.’ Caliban, in The Tempest, promises: