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Appalachian Edibles Trivia Quiz

The Appalachian mountains are an area steeped in tradition, especially when it comes to cooking! See if you can answer these questions about mountain cooking!

A multiple-choice quiz by apologetic_cynic. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
apologetic_cynic

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
87,517

Updated
Jun 16 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1848

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What time of year is "hog killing" time, traditionally? Hint

Early to mid spring.

Late autumn to early winter.

Mid to late autumn.

Late summer to early autumn.

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Question 2 of 10

2. This leafy green grows wild along the edges of fields usually, and can be eaten like any other green. What is it called? Hint

Wild Cabbage

Poke Sallet

Lemon Grass

Chickory

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Question 3 of 10

3. These wild grapes grow along roadsides and paths. What are they called? Hint

Muscadines

Honeysuckle

Dewberries

Maypops

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. This wild green vine has large leaves and is the bane of homeowners across the south. Its also edible! What is it called? Hint

Choke Vine

Sumac

Kudzu

Shambling Mound

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Question 5 of 10

5. These nuts were once a mainstay of the Appalachian diet, until a ecological tragedy wiped out almost every one of these trees. What were these nuts called? Hint

Beechnuts

Buckeyes

Chestnuts

North American Walnuts

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. These small, green plants are relatives of the wild onion. They have a powerful smell. What are they? Hint

Ramps

Chives

Spring Onions

Stinkhorns

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Native Cherokee referred to these three crops as "The Three Sisters". What were they? Hint

Corn, Apples, and Sorghum

Beans, Tomatoes, and Corn

Beans, Corn, and Squash

Lettuce, Tomatoes, and Onions

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. These two meat dishes are made with cornmeal. What are they? Hint

Salmon patties and Fried Chicken

Fatback and Grits

Corned Beef hash and "Streak o' Lean"

Scrapple and Liver Mush

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Acorns are edible.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What is the most common preparation for squirrel? Hint

soup

fried

baked

dumplings

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What time of year is "hog killing" time, traditionally?

Answer: Late autumn to early winter.

November is the usual month for hog killing, according to my grandmother.

2. This leafy green grows wild along the edges of fields usually, and can be eaten like any other green. What is it called?

Answer: Poke Sallet

Poke Sallet can be prepared any number of ways, depending on who you talk to. Some people say you have to pour off your water several times and replace it with fresh, so as to boil all the poison out before eating! I have neither confirmed nor disproven whether Poke Sallet is really poisonous or not.

3. These wild grapes grow along roadsides and paths. What are they called?

Answer: Muscadines

Muscadines, also called Scuppernongs, are very sweet and are usually much larger than grapes. The Native Americans first cultivated them 400 years ago. Maypops are hollow pods that grow on vines, but are inedible. However if one is thrown down it usually bursts with a loud pop. Thus the name.

4. This wild green vine has large leaves and is the bane of homeowners across the south. Its also edible! What is it called?

Answer: Kudzu

Kudzu is often times referred to, fondly, as "the vine that ate the South". Originating as a botanical display, this plant has taken root in the Southeast US, covering over 7 MILLION acres of land! In the summer it can propagate at the staggering rate of over a foot a day! Its leaves, roots, and blooms are all ingredients in many recipes though.

It also is the favorite food of goats and other livestock.

5. These nuts were once a mainstay of the Appalachian diet, until a ecological tragedy wiped out almost every one of these trees. What were these nuts called?

Answer: Chestnuts

The North American Chestnut tree was once one of the most awe inspiring sights in the mountains. Standing well over 100 ft. tall, they filled the forests of the Appalachians. Folklore says that they were so big that a man could lay across a chestnut stump and stretch out his arms and legs without hanging over the edge.

It has also been said that they were so plentiful that a squirrel could travel from Maine to Georgia without leaving the branches of the chestnuts. In the early 1900's Asian Chestnut trees were brought to New York City, to decorate Park Ave.

They carried a disease called "Chestnut Blight". Though these trees were immune to it, the N. American variety were not. Every single tree on the east coast died by the 1950's. The only remaining specimens are in the western US, where Chestnut Blight has not reached yet.

6. These small, green plants are relatives of the wild onion. They have a powerful smell. What are they?

Answer: Ramps

Ramps are similar to wild onions and smell much like an onion or garlic. However it is said that they taste divine. Ramps grow in the deepest recesses of mountain hollows, usually near watersheds. They can either be fried or saut�ed and eaten alone or with eggs or greens.

7. The Native Cherokee referred to these three crops as "The Three Sisters". What were they?

Answer: Beans, Corn, and Squash

They grew these every year.

8. These two meat dishes are made with cornmeal. What are they?

Answer: Scrapple and Liver Mush

These two items are both made from pork, and are usually eaten for breakfast.

9. Acorns are edible.

Answer: True

The Native Cherokee have several recipes for acorns, although one cannot simply pick them up and start snacking away.

10. What is the most common preparation for squirrel?

Answer: dumplings

Squirrel dumplings are made in much the same manner as chicken and dumplings.

Source: Author apologetic_cynic

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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