What food is indigenous to North America ?

Manoomin, the Ojibwe word for wild rice, is the only indigenous grain in North America and is the cousin to wild rice found in China. Although they still use the plant stems as vegetables, China no longer indulges in their wild rice, meanwhile, North America has turned it into a delicacy over time.

According to Ojibwe oral tradition, centuries ago the Ojibwe were instructed to find the place where "the food grows on the water" during their long migration from the East coast. This ultimately led them to the shores of Lake Superior and the northern inland lakes of the Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota where flowing fields of manoomin were found in abundance. Seen as a special gift from the Creator, manoomin became a healthy staple in the Ojibwe diet. When finished correctly, wild rice could be stored for long periods of time to be available when other foods were not.

Known for its unique nutty taste, manoomin offers a touch of excitement to menus with its unusual flavor and texture