Kudzu Recipes and Crafts

Welcome to the kudzu page of my blog! In efforts to preserve the environment, my roommate Paige and I came up with the idea to eat the invasive, just as they do in Japan. So enjoy as you feed you mind and your belly.

Identification:

Kudzu (Pueraria montana), an invasive perennial leguminous twining vine with large tuberous roots, was first introduced to the US in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. It was originally meant to be a feed source for cattle or a decorative porch plant. It is now considered to be one of the most damaging vines in North America, infiltrating about 50,000 hectares of new land each year. An expansive amount of research has been conducted in search of ways to inhibit further Kudzu spread, though no perfect solution has been obtained. Marketing an invasive species as cuisine has been a growing means of management for invasive species, though it is very rare that an invasive species is useful as food. In order to promote the productive utilization of Kudzu, we plan on creating a cooking and crafting book with general, everyday recipes and crafts which can be used as a positive control for Kudzu growth.

The easiest way to identify Kudzu is by the leaves. Because it is so successful, you can most often find it in large abundance, usually on other plants or objects. Kudzu vine has three leaves that grow in bunches together, with one growing at the top, middle, and the others growing on the sides of the middle leaf. The middle leaf has three lobes (or small 'points') while the two side leaves have only two lobes. The vine is very fuzzy and the underside of the leaf is hairy as well. And in case you aren't sure look for a kudzu bug as pictured above.

Recipes:
Kudzu Masala(original recipe)
Baked Kudzu and Eggplant Parmesan (original recipe)
Artichoke & Mushroom Kudzu Lasagna
Asian Kudzu Rice Wrap (30 min or less)(original recipe)
Clean Kudzu Dip
How to Make Kudzu Starch
Mushroom Kudzu Quiche
Southwestern Turkey Soup (just substitute kudzu for spinach)(original recipe)
Kudzu Tea
Sauteed Onions and Kudzu
Marinated Kudzu Salad
Chessy Kudzu Brussel Quiche(original recipe)
Chicken Farro Kudzu Soup(original recipe)
Chocolate Kudzu Ice Cream (vegan)(original recipe)
Kudzu Black Bean Burgers (vegetarian)
Kudzu Lasagna (zucchini-noodles)

Crafts:
Kudzu Wreath

*you can also modify some of my other recipes calling for spinach or kale, but substitute Kudzu. Here are some that work well with Kudzu instead, or as an addition:
Kale Omelet, Pumpkin Stew,  Butternut Squash Frittata