At a Zoom meeting in May, Carina, chair of our new Planet committee, gave a very interesting talk on foraging. From a list of dozens of edible plants she chose just six to discuss with us. These were:-
Hawthorn – all parts edible including flowers, leaves and berries
Dandelion – all parts edible. Use in soups and salads. You can even make coffee from the root
Nettles – make delicious soup
Wild Garlic – all parts edible. Delicious as salad leaves but can be added to many dishes.
Garlic Mustard, sometimes called Jack by the Hedge
Bitter Hairy Cress – great in salads. (Very invasive in the garden!)
Carina explained how to distinguish edible plants from similar-looking ones and recommended the Google Lens App to use with your mobile phone when out foraging. Her passion encouraged us all to “have a go” and an enthusiastic discussion followed. Carina promised to e-mail some tips and recipes to us. Thank you, Carina!
Maureen Heywood