Category: Foraging
-
posted on
White Clover Iced Tea
White Clover is a common garden and lawn “weed.” However, it is edible and makes a tasty, nutricious, and medicinal tea! Identification: Leaves: 3 elliptical leaflets together on one stalk; occationally a 4 leaf clover can be found Flowers: Bloom from March October. Flowers are white and turn brown over time. They are 8 mm…
-
posted on
Wildcrafting Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a mushroom that grows wild throughout much of the United State, Europe, and Asia. It can be found on decaying hardwood trees, such as oak and hickory. Generally, when you find Lion’s Mane, it will be far up the side of a tree, but occasionally you can reach it. This…
-
posted on
Maitake Risotto
Maitake Mushrooms, or Hen of the Woods, are commonly found in the deciduous, mature woods in North America, Japan, and China. It grows at the base of oaks, elm, and maple trees. It can be cultivated at home, though the wild one usually fair better. They are usually found in the fall. This is also…
-
posted on
Foraging Hen of the Woods
Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa), also known as maitake, is very common in North America and easy to identify. One mushroom can be quite large, giving you enough to last a few days. You can find Hen of the Woods at many Asian stores, Wegman’s, and many other grocery stores, especially fancier ones. The…
-
posted on
Foraging for Cat’s Ear
Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata) is a common, perennial weed you’ll find in gardens and lawns, along with dandelion. The funny thing about Cat’s Ear is at first glance, it looks just like dandelion especially when in bloom. But, upon closer inspection, the leaves are fuzzy and lack the pointy teeth on the leaves. There also…
-
posted on
Foraging Winter Cress
Learn how to forage wild cress! There are many different types of cress, all in the family Brassicaceae, commonly referred to as brassicas or the mustard family. The Brassica genus includes many well-known vegetables like cabbage, kale, broccoli, and mustard, but some species have parts that are tough, bitter, or even mildly toxic in large…
-
posted on
Violet Thumbprint Cookies
Common blue violet (Viola sororia) is one of my childhood favorite plants. I spent many barefoot, summer days in my hammock under a mimosa tree watching the hummingbirds flit here and there and reading novels – while eating violet leaves and flowers below me whenever I’d get hungry. I remember begging my dad to…
-
posted on
Foraging for Sheep Sorrel
Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is one of the first wild edible plants I learned and began foraging on my own. This small plant is surprisingly tasty, with a pleasant sour burst. You can eat it plain or sprinkle it on a salad to boost flavor Cooking is about creativity, so…
-
posted on
Chicken of the Woods
Chicken of the Woods refers to a group of edible mushrooms in the Laetiporus genus, most commonly Laetiporus sulphureus in the eastern U.S. These mushrooms are prized for their meaty texture and flavor that resembles chicken — hence the name. One of my favorite things about Chicken of the Woods is you often find a…
-
posted on
Wildcrafting Yarrow
Yarrow is a powerful edible and medicinal herb commonly found in the United States and temperate climates all over the world. It’s most often found in gardens, meadows, fields, forest edges, and disturbed areas. Yarrow (Archillea millefolium) can be found year-round in temperate climates. The white, flower bunches can be found in late spring or…