Free Food

Pink.

Hi binkybetsy,

There are a couple of older threads that might interest you:

Foraging - Natures Food

Free Food Challenge

Cheap food if you aren't squeamish

It's also worth checking out the Foraging forum on www.downsizer.net

Pink

scuzz

There is a book out there. I think it's called Free Food and I'm pretty sure someone on here has got it

As far as finding free food, public fields are a good place to start or woods. Sloes are ready for picking now, and make good sloe gin.

Wild strawberries should be about along with wild raspberries

Nuts will soon be coming into season, along with mushrooms. But if you're going to pick mushrooms, you should go with an expert so you don't get poisoned

Seakay

couple of books:
heard good things about this but not read it http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antonio-Carluccio-Goes-Wild-Recipes/dp/0747275890
New edition of this classic came out earlier this year,. but this version is nice and small for carrying about http://www.amazon.co.uk/Food-Free-Collins-Richard-Mabey/dp/0007183038/ref=ed_oe_p/026-1028825-2562814
Roger Phillips will be comprehensive and have great illustrative photographs http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?ie=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books-uk&field-author=Roger%20Phillips&page=1

Austin_Allegro

'Self Reliance' by John Yeoman is quite good too - lots of stuff on edible weeds etc.

frugalsar

have a look out for blackberries they grow wild all over the place! I just got a bucketful from the land at the back of our house! Also pinched my mums lavender for buiscuits!

trippy

My mum has asked for a book on this for her birthday. I have had a look on Amazon but quite a few of them don't have reviews. I wondered if anyone had any recommendations please. Thanks.

thriftlady_2

The absolute classic on this subject is the Richard Mabey one Food For Free. There are several editions I believe -I like the one with photos, but I think there's a pocket guide version too. Check it out on amazon -I'm sure it will have reviews.

ceridwen

YEP - There is indeed a pocket version of Food For Free. I have both versions - Collins one from 1973 (full-size version) and the mini one - Collins Gem Food for Free (HarperCollins Publishers) - in 2003 it was £4.99.

There is also a book "Wild Food" by Roger Phillips (Pan Books) ISBN 0-330-28069-4. Mine was published 1983, Dont know reprint position. Personally - I think its the better book.

trippy

The 1983 edition is still available on Amazon. Thanks. Would it be worth getting both books that have been mentioned or would one suffice? I know she particularly wants some recipes.

ceridwen

If its recipes you are after - then definitely make it the "Wild Food" one first and foremost. Theres a few recipes in the "Food for Free" book - but it is basically a how-to recognise wild food when you see it type book. "Wild Food" if you can get it is a much nicer looking book - colour photos, etc and those recipes too. Wildflower fritters, mushroom and potato pan scones, rowan jelly, cherry wine, bilberry muffins - to name the recipes I first spotted on doing a scan of the book.

Ps: Any volunteers wanted for sampling duties.........?