The above packages of wild rice which are "100% Naturally Grown on Lakes and Rivers" in Minnesota are sold at the St. Paul Farmers' Market. There are other outlets for this grain, which is a highly prized gourmet delight, sold throughout the Twin Cities. If you're smart, you'll pass up the cultivated wild rice and get one of these packages instead.
"This water-loving grass produces a nutty-flavored seed that is eaten by humans and waterfowl. Once found throughout Minnesota, it has been an important part of the lives and culture of American Indians who have lived in the Great Lakes region long before the arrival of European immigrants. Today it is Minnesota's official state grain.
Wild rice is an annual plant, meaning that it dies in the fall. Seeds that fell in autumn take root in spring under water, and then the shoot grows to above the surface. Starting in late August, the seeds ripen gradually from the top down and fall into the water. Because it is an annual, people who harvest the plant in the wild let some seeds fall into the water so wild rice populations can survive." (Credit: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
IMPORTANT
How To Tell The Difference Between Real Indian Wild Rice and The Fake Stuff!
Authentic northern lakes wild rice is thinner then the commercially grown paddy wild rice and can be a light gray to an almost light green in color. It is not tough but very tender and has a very natural tasty nutty like flavor and only takes about 20 minutes to cook. The real Indian Wild Lake Rice cannot be grown in paddies. True Indian Rice only thrives in these cold crystal clear northern spring fed rivers and lakes of the Great Lakes region that was home to the Chippewa Indians. Real Indian Wild rice is sensitive and will not grow in stagnant waters.
 REAL HAND HARVESTEDINDIAN WILD RICE |  PATTY GROWNCOMMERCIAL RIC |
Credit: http://www.indianwildrice.com/
Wild Rice harvesting on reservation land is strictly controlled; to see photos of an authentic harvesting, click here.To see more ABC Wednesday post, click here.
