Foraging Challenge

DebtFree2012

Lovely post ScarletRaven x

EndlessStruggle

I got my food for free book today. I live in a very rural village in the countryside so went out for a walk. And found lots of elder and hawthorn trees. Also found a sloe tree and a rowan tree. Blackberries, wild roses and more. I also found some that I weren't sure of so took some pictures. I only went for a small walk and have lots more places to go look. None of it can be picked yet though so I'll have to wait. Looks like one of the trees I wasn't sure about is a poisonous one eek.

jumblejack

EndlessStruggle wrote: »

I got my food for free book today. I live in a very rural village in the countryside so went out for a walk. And found lots of elder and hawthorn trees. Also found a sloe tree and a rowan tree. Blackberries, wild roses and more. I also found some that I weren't sure of so took some pictures. I only went for a small walk and have lots more places to go look. None of it can be picked yet though so I'll have to wait. Looks like one of the trees I wasn't sure about is a poisonous one eek.

Well done on receiving your book:j

The rose and elder may have some late flowers on that could be harvested?
If not, you won't have to wait long for the autumn hips, haws and berries:T

Scarletraven, have a really pleasant afternoon


I feel quite victorious today. It is too wet for real foraging but I have just made an awesome soup with home grown lettuce and nasturtiums served with herby cheese bread made with my garden herbs:)
I just posted the method on the grocery challenge thread.
It is basically the same method I use for watercress soup. Cheapest recipe going and nutritious too;)
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=54397993&postcount=810

DebtFree2012

Oooh I love Autumn!!!!

JJ - please can I have your herby cheese bread recipe? Many Thanks x

jumblejack

Sure thing

I will link to it as its got a few pics on....
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=52794577&postcount=163
It's the easiest n quickest bread ever. Use any herbs, even dandelion n nettles:j

EndlessStruggle

No none of them had any flowers left they were all getting ready for the berries.

ScarletRaven

This afternoon's outing was more of a recon mission than actual foraging, scouting out an area a few mins down the road (the old Apple Tree Lane I mentioned). Just as I thought, no longer any apple trees that gave it it's pretty name, but I did find a rather sizeable elder at the bottom of the lane, that still had a few flowers on it! Most had gone though as it's getting ready for the berries, so I left the few flowers that were still there as I couldn't have done much with such a small amount, really (I would have wanted to make cordial if there were enough). At least I know I only have to walk about 3 mins down the road for elderberries soon though!

Further up the lane I found a patch of Feverfew - I've not come across this before, so I couldn't believe my luck! Clearly untouched by anyone else, so I guess most people just assume it is a pretty weed and leave it be. I will head back later this week to gather a little of it for drying

Also found plenty of bramble growing in various places throughout the church cemetary opposite - not sure where I stand on gathering blackberries from it though as it is within the Church grounds (though clearly left wild at the edge of said grounds and growing amongst very old/no longer cared for graves). At least I know where it is if I am able to gather some when they're ready

There are also 2 beautiful blossom trees within the cemetary (blossoms have all died off now but they are usually a pretty pale pink) - I'm torn as to what this tree is and would guess at either a Japanese Cherry (Sakura) tree, or a Sargent's Cherry tree - either way, I'm not even sure if these bare edible fruit - anyone know for sure?

Behind the church there was a carpet of White Clover - didn't spend long inspecting it, but if the quality is alright I may gather a little of that this week as well

All in all I'm happy with my trip today, and can't wait to get back out there to do some proper foraging

Malfiore

Oh, I love this thread sooo much

Love all the foraging stories, makes me feel all warm inside (like it's really summer ).

I am making your herby cheese bread Jumblejack, it looks delish!!

I am assuming the answer to this is probably no, but does anyone know of any sites that list good places to forage in 'your area'? I want to go searching for places but I'm not really sure where to start to be honest!!!

DebtFree2012

JJ - thank you for the recipe - will be having a go at the w/e!

ScarletRaven - i too have the pale pink blossom trees which I need to identify this year. I forage the brambles from the church yard - I am sensitive to the area of course.

Question of the day Today is day 3 of my elderflower champers and it's not fermenting yet so it says to add a pinch of yeast. Can I use my fast action yeast that I put in my loafs?

Boodle

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

i personally don't like the taste of nettles (as tea infusion or as a green) but i would consider trying to make wine out them - but i would only pick young nettles, earlier in the year - as they get stronger (in taste and sting) as they mature - i allow a few nettles to grow in my garden - mostly as extra food for the little creatures - but they also go in the compost and used to make liquid plant food.

so my tip would be to pick younger tender leaves in the spring (just pick the top 2 or 3 inches of the plant) and don't forget to wear gloves

and if you want to try a mild nettle soup:

1lb spuds
8 oz young nettle tops
2 oz butter
1.5 pint chicken stock
salt & pepper
4 tablespoon sour cream

peel spuds and cut into thickish slices - wash nettles and chop coarsely.
cook spuds for 10 mins then drain. melt butter in pan, add nettle tops and gently cook for 5 to10 mins.add the stock and the par-boiled spuds and simmer until soft (about 10 mins) - then whizz up in blender - put into a clean pan/ bowl , season to taste and stir in sour cream.

Thanks Splodger, you have confirmed what I had previously thought I will wait until spring.