Today I learned: You can eat the shoots of the hop plant. I like to indulge myself in the many facets of culinary arts and sciences, but this is new to me. I'm wondering if anyone has tried these. I found the following article about pickled hop shoots: http://www.tastingtable.com/entry_detail/national/1837/Beers_base_finds_a_new_place_to_soak.htm I'd be eager to try this on a charcuterie plate or similar. Thoughts?
Sean Paxton had a Brewing Network podcast where he talked about covering the hop bines with straw and blanching the first 2 inches of growth to make a white-asparagus-type side dish. Sounds delicious.
I have had pickled hop shoots one time and though I am a sucker for anything pickled they were pretty good.
I've only had the pickled ones, which pretty much tasted like pickled anything else. I have some fuggles going into their second year so I think I'll try and cook some of the shoots if I get enough.
