Foraging - Natures Food

HariboJunkie

rachbc wrote: »

I imagine drying is the best way to preserve mushrooms - never been brave enough to collect any though saw tons when i was on hol in Pembrokeshire last yeat

I've dried them, bottled them and frozen them with mixed results depending on the species. Was just wondering if anyone had any tips. You should try a fungal forage Rach. If you are meticulous about identification, you'll be fine. It is addictive though

rachbc

I do remember getting field mushrooms with my grandparents (and playying football with giant puffballs lol) - they had 14 acres and knew the best spots for everything on thier land but I wouldn't have a clue were to start in the urban jungle!

Churchmouse

Gigervamp wrote: »

It's amazing how many apple trees you see along dual carriageways and motorways. I guess they've grown from discarded apple cores chucked out of car windows.

Never considered that, but it's so obvious when you think about it Shame to have that abundance in situations where you're not allowed to stop the car and pick

Haribo, the only mushrooms I see growing are in my garden, and I'm sure they must be poisonous ones. There have been a couple of times the front garden has had a crop of delicious-looking really large white capped ones, but I was too frightened to try and identify them ( wuss that I am )

Gigervamp

Churchmouse wrote: »

Never considered that, but it's so obvious when you think about it Shame to have that abundance in situations where you're not allowed to stop the car and pick

Yes, it's very frustrating seeing laden apple trees and not being able to stop to pick them!

D&DD

Well I live on a council estate and I preserve and forage
and I also share the bounty with others and help people identify where the best places are,recipes etc.

Have identified one of the apples as Laxtons Superb so will be picking some of those when they are ready for storing.

Haribo sorry to hear you're not feeling your best its frustrating especially when the kids are off.I've not been healthy since March and just regaining a bit of pizazz now finally

Rach re the maggots its extra protein sure the jam will be fine you would have seen them honest don't worry!

annie123

D&#8517 wrote: »

and I also share the bounty with others and help people identify where the best places are,recipes etc.

And I can vouch for that , excellent directions given too

Rebelle

Hello All :wave:

Another one here who has been lurking on this thread and becoming increasingly interested in foraging - I live on the outskirts of a coastal town, but my particular area has quite a lot of countryside - as well as a ruddy great motorway with lots of blackberry bushes growing near it that backs onto my house... after reading about all the lovely things you make from your hauls some blackberry jam/crumble/wine is sounding very appealing, might have to go on a mission this weekend!

There's also a field nearby where I walk my dog (marshy wasteland, again next to the motorway and not owned by anyone) that has blackberries and possibly other goodies too so may well investigate there, have seen others picking there before but never thought of doing it myself (d'oh!)... could even make a day of it and have a wander down some of the nearby country lanes and see what's on offer, you lot have really inspired me! And the thought of giving hand-picked, homemade jam/wine/vodka etc as gifts at Christimas is really nice, thoughtful and frugal to boot! :A

Definitely gonna be sensible tho - if I don't know what something is, I ain't gonna pick it! Not worth making anyone ill or worse with anything poisonous. :eek:

Also - to the posters who are ceasing to post because of the bickering - please don't!! I love reading everyone's hints and tips and what people have managed to collect and make out of it, we need people like you on this thread, so please don't leave!

I strongly agree with others who have said that if a particular poster wishes to debate the ethics of foraging they should take it to DT, all this talk of "greedy grabbers" and the terribly misguided and unbelievably judgmental attitude shown in certain posts is just depressing and totally contrary to the spirit of the thread.

Just my two cents... back to lurkdom now, unless I have some foraged finds to report this weekend!

redlady_1

Christ, it has all been happening over here!

I have Salisbury Plain close by to where I live and there are rich pickings to be had.

However, I know nothing about mushrooms and would love to learn. Any tips would be gratefully appreciated please.

HariboJunkie

Hello Red :hello:

When we lived in Wilts we were on a farm and foraged there but It's private land so I can't direct you there but Savernack forest was good for fungi. Just invest in a book to take with you to identify on site and cross reference with other books or the internet when you get home. If in doubt don't eat. I've been mushrooming op for twenty years and never had any ill effects.

D&DD thanks for the good wishes. Kiddies went back to school last week so not so bad x

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Can someone tell me hoe I can tell if the sloes I have found are ripe?

I know they are very sharp even when ready. Have never picked any before but have found some tucked away in the grounds of our local hospital and want to make my own sloe gin.

Thanks

Mrs VP