Wild foods

mikeywills

A post from pollyanna got me thinking, and yes it can happen from time to time!!

I thought I would test you OS gurus for your opinions on wild foods. Hugh fearnley swears by them, and I wonder if you have any experiences with particular ones.

Obvious examples are wild berries and nuts, but does anyone pick their own wild greens and root veg, which are out there if we now where to look.

Obviously this does not include raiding your neighbours veggie plot, and apple trees. Before anyone suggests so....:D

apple_mint

OH makes HFW's nettle soup (from Cook on the Wild Side) and absolutely loves it. Makes batches and freezes lots of single portions. Best made in the spring from the young shoots (but can be made from newly shooting nettles where they have been cut back).

apple_mint

We've also been making all the usual foods / drinks using the 'wild garden':

Elderberry & apple jelly
Bramble Jelly
Bramble wine
Bramble & Elderberry wine
Elderberry wine
Sloe Gin
Elderflower cordial

and I have some rose hips in the freezer waiting for when I have time to turn them into rose hip syrup.

Ted_Hutchinson

Rabbit traps are actually very easy to make yourself if you have access to some galvanised wire and a pair of pliers.

Possibly not much use in town but you'll be doing the local gardeners and farmers some good as well as providing yourself with a cheap meal of probably organic, certainly free range, healthy meat.

mirakl

In the Spring I pick wild garlic from the local forest. I eat the young leaves in salads, the older leaves I cook like spinach and come the end of the season I make wild garlic pesto.

martindow

Another vote for wild garlic which is lovely and widespread for a few weeks of the year. A bit milder than usual garlic and absolutely wonderful in salads. A lot of wild greenery I find quite strong - plantain, dandelion, etc and a lttle goes a long way.