Foraging walks in West Bridgford

On Friday 24th April, Transition WB went for our first foraging walk. We found many delectable (and free!) elights in a short stretch of the 'Green Line' off Melton Road. The obvious finds were several apple trees in full flower and brambles (we'll be back later for those, no doubt)

There were plenty of dandelions- the smaller leaves can be chopped into salads and the larger ones cooked either with spinach or alone.

Dandelion coffee can be made from the roots (caffene free and very tasty) First wash and dry the roots thoroughly in the sun, then slightly roat them to coffee colour in a cool oven. The can then be stored for a time in a jar to be ground when yu want to make coffee.

Dandeline wine, from the flowers makes a great white wine.
The unopened buds can also be fried in oil and added to an omelette.

Nettles were also prolific; if you go picking, wear gloves or use scissors and a bag to catch them. (remember to check underneath for butterfly eggs and leave any you find) They can be cooked with spinach or alone with the water they retain from washing and a lttle marg or butter.

Nettle soup: sweat the nettles in butter and very little water, with onion and garlic if you like it. Add in a couple of cooked potatoes, milk (or milk substitute) liquidise everything, the add more milk if you feel you need it. To add flavour you could chop parsley in, or spring onions and a little grated cheese at the end.

We also tasted hedge garlic (jack by the hedge) and hawthorn. These leaves can be chopped into salads at any tme or used in sandwiches, as with coltsfoot and herb bennet.

If anyone is interested in eating wild food - which tends to have a higher nutritional value than the domestic sort, I recommend Richard Mabey's 'Food for free' but also check the charity shops, wher I have found lovely old books with great recipes and good identification pictures. very important if you are just beginning.

We are organising our next walk for the 29th May, same time, same place, in the mean while enjoy your weeds!

Julie