American Groundnut Tubers
$12.95
Groundnuts will ship in early March, 2024.
Groundnut tubers are sold by weight in 1 oz bags. The number of tubers will vary depending on the weight of the individual tubers but in general you can expect to receive 3 - 5 tubers per 1 oz bag.
Apios americana, also known colloquially as "Indian Groundnut," and by its indigenous name, "Hopniss," is found in indigenous diets from Canada to the Gulf coast. This perennial from the pea family produces both edible tubers and beans (seeds are edible but pods are fibrous!). Groundnuts can be planted with potatoes in the spring time. The vines can extend up to ten feet, with purple-pink flowers resembling wisteria from July to September. Fleshy tubers varying in size from one to eight centimeters in diameter can be steamed, roasted, boiled, mashed, or can be dried then ground into a thickening powder for recipes. A bit sweeter than potatoes, but with lasting heartiness, possibly related to the high protein content (3x more than a standard potato).
These groundnuts were grown for us by Nat Bradford (of Bradford Watermelon fame), who has selected them over the past 15 years from improved strains originally researched by Dr. Blackmon of Louisiana State University. Photos by Nat Bradford.
Note: A percentage of the population react to eating groundnuts with gastrointestinal issues - the percentage of people affected has been reported as anywhere from 9-25%. If you are allergic to latex, don't eat groundnuts. Cooking methods may affect digestibility, and groundnuts should never be eaten raw. If groundnuts are new to you then begin with small serving sizes.
Find our Ground Nut Growing Guide Here!
Out of stock
- How to Grow
- Seed Saving
A Native American edible perennial tuber!
Apios americana, also known colloquially as Indian Groundnut, is found in indigenous diets from Canada to the Gulf coast. This perennial from the pea family produces both edible tubers and podded beans. The vines can extend up to ten feet, with multi-colored flowers resembling wisteria from July to September. Fleshy tubers varying in size from one to eight centimeters are steamed, roasted, boiled, mashed, and can be dried then ground into a thickening powder for recipes. A bit sweeter than potatoes, but with lasting heartiness, possibly related to their high protein content (3x more than a standard potato).
How to Grow Groundnuts
Because of its vigorous vines that can grow up to ten feet in a single season and wrap themselves around other plants, we recommend creating a trellised planting area that you can dedicate to your Apios americana patch exclusively. This will make harvesting their tasty little tubers easier, and allow you to enjoy the stunning blossoms without worrying about them choking out your tomatoes. Plant in fall through winter, as soon as they are shipped, and harvest in late summer. Replant your smallest tubers for next years harvest. Harvested tubers can be stored for months in a root cellar or another cool area (very similar to potato storage).
How to Eat Groundnuts
One of our farmer's, Nat Bradford reports:
Groundnuts have an earthy potato flavor. They cook just like potatoes. You can boil and mash them, French-fry them, make chips, or roast them. They can be dried and ground into flour. They are very dense but creamy textured. Groundnuts need a little more cream to make them fluffy, but they really are fantastic. I’ve had them as chips when they were served at the Slow Food dinner in Charleston last year, and I’ve boiled and mashed them. I’m very curious about the groundnut flour.
Save and replant your smallest tubers for next years harvest. Harvested tubers can be stored for months in a root cellar or another cool area (very similar to potato storage).