Foraging Challenge

Aldahbra

ravingandsaving wrote: »

I'm right on the foraging this year! So far made nettle pesto - yummy! Currently eagerly anticipating the elderflowers coming out in full bloom! Really wary about mushrooms - wondering if I should go on a course?

What recipe do you use for nettle pesto?

TravellingAbuela

[QUOTE

I never realised you could go foraging for food. I had never even thought about it before. It sounds like a wonderful idea. I live in the heart of the yorkshire dales so there is plenty of woodland and grassy areas around me. I will definetly be giving it a go next time we go for a walk, although I will have to do a lot of research on what I can eat and what is poisonous
[/QUOTE]

I see you are in North Yorkshire so that means you are not far from moorland. One of the best foods for foraging on the moors are bilberries! They grow in abundance and the best time for picking is mid July to mid August, depending on what sort of a spring/summer we're having! Our favourite spot for picking in North Yorkshire is Brimham Rocks and it's amazing just how many "tourists" stop and ask us what we are picking and what we do with them! I use them to make jam, pies, crumbles etc. For anyone not sure if they quite fancy bilberry jam then buy a jar from the gift shop there (at a price!) and you'll soon want to start making your own.

ravingandsaving

Aldahbra wrote: »

What recipe do you use for nettle pesto?

I can't post any links because I'm new but if you google Moral Fibres Nettle Pesto then that's the one I use. Definitely needs the chilli in it!

timehastoldme

Could anyone help ease my slightly nervous self and reassure me what we've found is a cherry plum?

Ken68

Yes t.h.t.m....that's same as mine, same leaf, also comes in yellow.

timehastoldme

Thank you! Exciting times

Ken68

Also watch out for cherries, then blackberries.
And these, though not too many at once.


http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/berry-bonanza

Ken68

New to me this year (at
least in any quantity) have been dandelions.


Steamed lightly and froze in portions.
Yet to do Hawthorne berries, though it's on the list.
For anyone with own grown broad beans, the tops can be cooked.
Edit: warning take care beans haven't been sprayed.

TravellingAbuela

A few years ago we came across two gooseberry bushes growing in the wild (goodness knows how they first got there!) and, ever since, we have made a point of checking them out towards the end of June every year. A visit this week proved very profitable and we got a large bagful. Not an easy job though, we were attacked by the thorns on the bushes and stung on the feet and legs by the nettles guarding them, but worth it in the end! Now stashed away in the freezer in readiness for pies and crumbles.

chinagirl

I made elder flower cordial.....very nice. Picked my flower heads after the rain, down by the river making sure I went for eye-level branches to avoid any contamination by dog pea stuff.