Ancient history

What foods did the Northern Paiute Indian tribes eat?

Acorns

Acorns were a staple crop of the Northern Paiute Indian tribes. They were harvested in the fall, shelled, and ground into flour. This flour was used to make bread, soup, and mush. Acorns were also eaten roasted or boiled.

Pine nuts

Pine nuts were another important food for the Northern Paiute. They were gathered from pine trees in the summer, and eaten fresh or stored for later use. Pine nuts were used in a variety of dishes, including bread, soup, and stuffing.

Seeds

Seeds were an important part of the Northern Paiute diet. They gathered seeds from a variety of plants, including sagebrush, sunflower, and chia. Seeds were eaten raw or cooked, and they were also used to make flour and oil.

Roots and tubers

The Northern Paiute gathered a variety of roots and tubers from the wild, including camas root, biscuitroot, and wild onion. These roots and tubers were eaten raw, cooked, or dried for storage.

Meat

The Northern Paiute hunted a variety of animals for meat, including deer, elk, antelope, and rabbit. Meat was typically roasted, boiled, or dried for storage.

Fish

Fish was also an important food for the Northern Paiute. They caught fish from lakes, rivers, and streams using nets, traps, and spears. Fish was typically eaten fresh or dried for storage.