Q: Have you ever heard of grass nuts? My Granny who lives in Kentucky says my great- grandmother used to grow and eat them. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A: I wonder if your Granny is referring to chufa, Cyperus esculentus var. sativus?

This plant has an edible underground tuber that wildlife and “country folks” enjoy. It is said to taste like a cross between almond and coconut.

However, I recommend you NOT cultivate this particular plant. Chufa’s close kin, yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus, is a terrible weed and if you buy seed you’re about as likely to get one plant as the other. Be forewarned!

Growing Chufa

Noxious weeds