MULHERES E PANCS: RESGATANDO HÁBITOS E SABERES ALIMENTARES NO VALE DO TAQUARI, RS.

Unconventional food plants (PANCs) are species whose edible parts such as tubers, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds are neglected and forgotten, due to recent changes in eating habits. However, they are species of great importance in the context of Food and Nutritional Security, favoring food diversity and enabling healthy eating. The characterization and rescue of traditional knowledge about the cultivation and use of PANCs associated with local agrobiodiversity contributes to sustainable regional development. Women, most of the times responsible for the choice and preparation of meals, have the knowledge about the PANCs, being essential the rescue of this knowledge, so that they become recognized as food, and that their food and nutritional potential is valued through use. Thus, the objective of this study was to rescue information and knowledge about these plants with women participating in Clubs of Mothers in municipalities of the Vale do Taquari through the realization of lectures and workshops with the preparation of dishes, as well as with the dialogue with these women. For better understanding, semi-structured interviews were applied and photographs were taken. 87 members of mothers' clubs were interviewed. In Vale do Taquari, knowledge about the use and consumption of PANCs was not being disseminated and it was observed that it exists and is part of the food tradition of different communities in the region. It was found that the vast majority, know many PANCs, more than 20 species were identified and cited, mainly for its use as medicinal, having been remembered especially the dandelion, milkweed, cow tongue, sorrel, cream, the caraguatá, and the capuchin, many of them recognized as species of medicinal use. Most of the interviewees are farmers and retirees, who already knew some PANCs. Of these species many are of European origin, and their consumption was a habit brought by immigrants, being associated with childhood moments. The positive interaction between community members and students was also evident. The consumption of these species, therefore, has cultural value, and its rescue is very important, in order to expand the diversity of the dishes and, thus, add rich nutritional combinations that favor the health of those who consume them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]