Bamboo Shoot Gathering

One fine day in June 2016.

I was in a park waiting among other volunteers.

We were volunteering for bamboo shoots gathering.

Japanese timber bamboo is not just for timber,

the shoots and young tips are edible.

Some prefer half grown one like this at the center...

It's like you are cutting a giant asparagus,

or you became an ant wondering in an asparagus field.

A few hours later

We gathered enough bamboo shoots to share among 100 participants.

There were surprisingly many elderly citizens, and TV crews,

asking them 

the best bamboo shoot recipe.

"Chicken hide."

An obviously well off lady proudly answered.

"Stew bamboo shoots with chicken hide in teriyaki sauce.

It's delicious."

OK. This is the secret of long Japanese life.

They do outdoor volunteer work,

and eat chicken hide.

I cooked some flavored rice with bamboo shoots,

and canned the rest to save it for later.

Maybe I can save it for Bendor.