Foraging forumagers

blackthorn berries, or sloes, are in nearly every english hedgerow. this year they appear smaller, but perhaps the flavor will be more intense.

blackberry, elderberry, rosehip and cobnut developing nicely though

Interesting Jon Krakauer article about Chris McCandless, 21 years after his death.
Tldr version is that he may have been poisoned by a plant considered safe until now; new evidence suggests otherwise in certain cases with already malnourished males

Be safe peeps. Might get some hedgerow scouring in this w/e

Repost

banned

they kicked me out of the other foraging thread
chestnutist

;-(

Nice haul there dicki!

Once more, the forest gods provide.

bump for this thread. What has nature provided for us to go out and grab at this time of year?

Loads of greens in the hedgerow when I was out on the weekend (but walking to the pub for dinner so I didn't collect any):
Ramsons
Hogweed shoots
Jack by the hedge
Hop shoots

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinkadvice/10770790/Top-10-wild-foods-to-forage-in-spring.html

lime tree flower and elderflower for drinks
dandelions and nettles

might have a bash at nettle soup
got some in the garden

Loads of greens in the hedgerow when I was out on the weekend (but walking to the pub for dinner so I didn't collect any):
Ransomes
Hogweed shoots
Jack by the hedge
Hop shoots

thanks, anything I might of heard of before? ;)

ha, this ^

even google wasn't able to help

Sorry, I did a spelling

Ramsons. Aka wild garlic
/attachments/83365

JbtH
/attachments/83366

Hogweed can be confused with a few nasties and I can't find a good pic of the tasty bits, but easy to recognise with a field guide

Hop shoots
/attachments/83367

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hmmm that wild garlic
chop and stir fry ? as you would with garlic
have often looked out for this but never realised what it looked like
was looking for a more allium style plant

loads of wild garlic near the stepping stones at boxhill if anyone is riding around there

Ooh I had some JbtH on the weekend after the gf said it was supposed to be similar to mustard. She didn't sound too sure though. Good to know I didn't eat something that might kill me!

Not my pics BTW
Wild garlic is used more like a herb as it wilts down quite quickly. Good for salads, pesto etc.

Sloes in London are more than ready for picking, not a bad crop this year - Got a cheeky little sloe hotspot near New Malden if anyone wants deets

good shout, only thing is sloe gin last about half an hour after youve opened it, sooooo good at x.mas.
done my annual black mulberry pick, bring on the shroom feast!!!!

It's blackberry season! Got a good haul on the weekend walking down the canal. Made sauce which my gf dropped all over the floor but fortunately have more than half still in the fridge awaiting crumble-ification.

Anyone know anything good to do with hops that isn't brewing beer? I've seen quite a few vines growing locally.

the heavy rain plus this sunshine should start bringing out mushrooms non ? or is it a bit early yet ?

12 October haul below. Went this last weekend but little to be seen.

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had a cracking haul of sloes last year - It looks like the blackberries are early this year, anyone sighted any sloes yet? I've got a feeling they're going to be early this year.

(Any SW londoners fancy any sloes PM me and I'll give you the deets of my secret sloe spot)

In the middle of a house purchase at the moment, new house has a Cherry-Plum tree in the garden. Rife in the countryside for foragers but often overlooked as many people avoid berries they don't know. The sellers kindly gave me a bag from which I got 2kg's of intact fruit. Made 10 jars of jam - with a little lemon, cinnamon and muscovado sugar it has a tartly tangy autumny deep flavour. Looking forward to experimenting with Jam/chutney/baking each year. I am sure there will be plenty to dish out if anyone fancies preserving?

Blackberries are definitely in full flow - filled a bidon easily on saturday.
Saw a couple of bullace plum trees looking ripe too. Must remember to get some this year.