Lazy Gardener
Super Self-Sufficient
There are a lot of plants out there, in every part of the country that grow profusely as weeds, or part of the natural vegetation that can supplement the diet. This thread is to discuss the use of such plants.
How many SS members take advantage of these free foods? What and when do you harvest? How do you prepare it? What does it taste like, or if not a food, what purpose do you use it for?
As with all foraging, it's absolutely necessary that: You know exactly what the plant is, that you can identify it, and make sure there are no look-a-like plants that may be harmful. Harvest from a clean area. If not on your property, only harvest with permission.
Dandelion greens: I enjoy these. They must be picked BEFORE any blossoms appear. I rinse them multiple times before cooking. If any bitterness remains after the first cooking, you can drain, add fresh water and boil again. Use them like cooked spinach or Swiss Chard. I especially like the little buds that are tucked down in the crown of the plant. They have a creamy texture.
Cat nine tail shoots: Must be harvested from clean water source, peel the outside leaf/wrapper off the shoot so the remaining part of the plant is free from water contamination. IIRC, they have a bit of viscous sap. They taste a bit like cucumber. Have tried them raw. I wonder how they would be if put into a stir fry. (roots and immature seed heads can also be eaten, though I've not tried these)
Plantain: I harvest it from my lawn to use in a poison ivy salve. (Young plants can be eaten, though I've not tried these)
Jewel Weed: Grows in ditch in front of a neighbor's property. I use it in a poison ivy salve. Have tossed some seed heads in my ditch in an effort to get it to grow "closer to home". I did have one rogue plant growing on the side of my HK mound last summer. It was huge.
Wine cap mushrooms: I bought some spawn about 3 years ago. Made a bed in the garden and an other bed in the orchard. They are slowly naturalizing. These mushrooms MUST be cooked before using them. Stems are too fibrous to use, but caps can grow to immense sizes. They are a bit stronger in flavor than the button mushrooms you grow at the grocer.
Fiddle heads: Absolutely THE BEST foraged crop IMO. However, the location of fiddle head patches is a well kept secret. Folks who have access to them rarely disclose the location of their foraging spots! I've tried to get some acclimated on my property. No luck yet. They have a wonderful flavor. I boil in a bit of water, then serve with butter and vinegar. They can be bought at road side and in some grocery stores when in season. Season coincides with black fly season.
How many SS members take advantage of these free foods? What and when do you harvest? How do you prepare it? What does it taste like, or if not a food, what purpose do you use it for?
As with all foraging, it's absolutely necessary that: You know exactly what the plant is, that you can identify it, and make sure there are no look-a-like plants that may be harmful. Harvest from a clean area. If not on your property, only harvest with permission.
Dandelion greens: I enjoy these. They must be picked BEFORE any blossoms appear. I rinse them multiple times before cooking. If any bitterness remains after the first cooking, you can drain, add fresh water and boil again. Use them like cooked spinach or Swiss Chard. I especially like the little buds that are tucked down in the crown of the plant. They have a creamy texture.
Cat nine tail shoots: Must be harvested from clean water source, peel the outside leaf/wrapper off the shoot so the remaining part of the plant is free from water contamination. IIRC, they have a bit of viscous sap. They taste a bit like cucumber. Have tried them raw. I wonder how they would be if put into a stir fry. (roots and immature seed heads can also be eaten, though I've not tried these)
Plantain: I harvest it from my lawn to use in a poison ivy salve. (Young plants can be eaten, though I've not tried these)
Jewel Weed: Grows in ditch in front of a neighbor's property. I use it in a poison ivy salve. Have tossed some seed heads in my ditch in an effort to get it to grow "closer to home". I did have one rogue plant growing on the side of my HK mound last summer. It was huge.
Wine cap mushrooms: I bought some spawn about 3 years ago. Made a bed in the garden and an other bed in the orchard. They are slowly naturalizing. These mushrooms MUST be cooked before using them. Stems are too fibrous to use, but caps can grow to immense sizes. They are a bit stronger in flavor than the button mushrooms you grow at the grocer.
Fiddle heads: Absolutely THE BEST foraged crop IMO. However, the location of fiddle head patches is a well kept secret. Folks who have access to them rarely disclose the location of their foraging spots! I've tried to get some acclimated on my property. No luck yet. They have a wonderful flavor. I boil in a bit of water, then serve with butter and vinegar. They can be bought at road side and in some grocery stores when in season. Season coincides with black fly season.
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Of course, it takes 4-8 yrs for a "crop". Talk about "long term" plans. 
The goldenseal matures faster and is often companioned with it.
