-- The title Miss "Polk Salad" is spelled P.O.L.K because of the Elvis Presley recording of the song "Polk Salad" Annie (Lyrics by Tony Joe White)

-- The Miss in Miss "Polk Salad" is used to represent a southern usage of the word and not to represent marital status.

Tennesse "Polk Salad" Assc.
P.O. Box 1006
Harriman, TN. 37748
  • David Webb (President)
  • Ron Coleman (Sec. Treasurer)
    • IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION
    Use only 6 to 7 inch shoots before berries. ""The roots, berries, seeds, and mature stems and leaves of pokeweed are poisonous"" says Extension Foods Scientist Jean Weese. (Source: Dr. Jean Weeese, Food Scientist, Alabama Coopertive Extension System (334) 844-3269
    The information presented on this website is offered strictly for informative and educational purposes. If you have any health related issues or questions consult your personal physcian before using any of the recipes or other information contained on this site.
    Please refer all link and technical issues to the Webmaster.
    All images, photos, and text on this website are owned by Rocky Top General Store and the respective photographer and/or sources. NONE of the images or photos on this site can be reused, published, or reprinted in ANY form without the written permission of "Polk Salad Association" President David Webb.

    ~ Stories ~ Songs ~ Personal Anecdotes ~

    If you like to share your songs, stories, and other "Polk Salad" related folklore with others via our website please e-mail us

    PLEASE NOTE: That all information or stories on this page represent personal experiences on the part of the submitters and should note be taken to be medical or scientific fact. Please use all appropriate caution and safe handling/cooking methods when preparing "Polk Salad".

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    Elvis' recording Of The Song "Polk Salad" Annie
     Sung by Elvis Presley
    Lyrics by Tony Joe White

    If some of ya'll never been down South too much...
    I'm gonna tell you a little bit about this, so that you'll understand
    What I'm talking about
    Down there we have a plant that grows out in the
    woods and the fields,
    looks somethin' like a turnip green.
    Everybody calls it "Polk Salad". "Polk Salad".
    Used to know a girl that lived down there and
    she'd go out in the evenings and pick a mess of it...
    Carry it home and cook it for supper, 'cause that's about all they had to eat,
    But they did all right.

    Down in Louisiana Where the alligators grow so mean
    There lived a girl that I swear to the world Made the alligators look tame

    "Polk Salad" Annie "Polk Salad" Annie
    Everybody said it was a shame
    Cause her mama was working on the chain-gang
    (a mean, vicious woman)

    Everyday 'fore supper time She'd go down by the truck patch
    And pick her a mess o' "Polk Salad" And carry it home in a tote sack

    "Polk Salad" Annie 'Gators got you granny
    Everybody said it was a shame
    'Cause her mama was aworkin' on the chain-gang
    (a wretched, spiteful, straight-razor totin' woman,
    Lord have mercy. Pick a mess of it)

    Her daddy was lazy and no count
    Claimed he had a bad back
    All her brothers were fit for was stealin' watermelons out of my truck patch
    "Polk Salad" Annie, the gators got your granny
    Everybody said it was a shame
    Cause her mama was a working' on the chain gang
    (Sock a little "Polk Salad" to me, you know I need a mess of it)

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    Submitted By: Ejscott1@aol.com
    07-27-2004

    Hi,

    When I lived in Tn. I cooked the Poke Stalks, like we cook okra, rolled them in corn meal and flour, and fried them in oil. Very tasty!!!

    Eddie Jean Scott Simmons

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    Submitted By:Dorothy Blake Hughett
    07-27-2004

    I read your article in the Roane County News and I did not see anything about seasoning poke salad with bacon grease or fat back. The seasoning keeps it from being so toxic to your system.

    I was born and raised in Morgan County and also lived in Roane County. Thanks for your time,

    Dorothy Blake Hughett

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    © Copyright Notice ©

    NOTICE: All images, photos, and text on this website are owned by Rocky Top General Store and the respective photographer and/or sources. NONE of the images or photos on this site can be reused, published, or reprinted in ANY form without the written permission of "Polk Salad Association" President David Webb. The phrases Tennesee "Polk Salad" Association, Miss "Polk Salad", and Tennessee "Polk Salad" Queen, and related me rchandise and photos are the property of the Tennessee "Polk Salad" Association (Harriman, Tennessee). Unauthorized photography or duplication of the aforementioned phrases and/or materials will be considered a breech of our intellectual properties and well be dealt with as such. Photography by anyone other than the AUTHORIZED "Polk Salad" Association photographer(s) for COMMERCIAL purposes without express written permission from an authorized "Polk Salad" Association representative is strictly forbidden.