Despite its name, wild rice is not actually a rice but is instead a species of aquatic grass and the grain that can be harvested from it. Northern wild rice is an annual plant native to Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. In northern Wisconsin, it grows in shallow freshwater lakes and slow-flowing streams and is harvested in early autumn. However, some wild rice that’s sold in stores is cultivated commercially in the US and Canada.
Wild rice in our region has a long, rich history. It is a food that holds great cultural and spiritual significance for the Ojibwe people, whose word for wild rice is manoomin, and is an important staple for the Menominee and Ho-Chunk people. Wild rice is traditionally harvested using a non-motorized boat with someone using two sticks to gently shake the stalks to loosen the grains, collecting them as they fall into the boat. With this method, about 90% of the grains fall back into the water, helping ensure another wild rice crop the following year.
Wild rice grains have a chewy outer sheath, and wild rice that grows in Wisconsin and Minnesota is truly one-ofa- kind with a rich, nutty flavor. It is a nutritious whole grain that is relatively high in protein, fiber, and low in fat. Cooking wild rice requires a bit more time and water compared to white or brown rice due to its tough outer husk. Wild rice can be cooked more like pasta, using additional water and draining excess after cooking. A simple way to cook wild rice is to first rinse the rice, then combine 1 cup of wild rice with 3 cups of water in a pot. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook the rice for 40 to 50 minutes until the grains are tender and some have burst open. Drain the excess water from the rice and use it in a recipe that calls for cooked wild rice.
Wild Rice and Vegetable Soup
This fall, dive into some recipes that feature wild rice, a nutritious whole grain that is relatively high in protein, fiber, and low in fat. In northern Wisconsin, it grows in shallow freshwater lates and slow-flowing streams and is harvested in early autumn. Wild rice grown in Wisconsin and Minnesota is truly one-of-a-kind with a rich, nutty flavor.
Wild Rice, Kale and Fennel Salad
Despite its name, wild rice is not actually a rice but is instead a species of aquatic grass and the grain that can be harvested from it. Northern wild rice is an annual plant native to Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. In northern Wisconsin, it grows in shallow freshwater lakes and slow-flowing streams and is harvested in early autumn.
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