Foraging—a term that often invokes images of our ancestors roaming wild landscapes in search of sustenance. But this practice is far from being just a relic of the past. In today’s post, we’re delving into a world that exists right outside your door, your very own backyard. As highlighted in our previous post on Foraging Your Backyard, we uncovered the myriad of reasons why foraging can be more than just a hobby, it can be a transformative life skill. The natural world’s bounty is rich and surprisingly accessible; wild edibles have this incredible ability to flourish in their optimal habitats without the slightest hint of human intervention. Join us as we explore this practice, its benefits, and how it can change the way you view the green spaces that surround you every day.
Foraging Compared to Planting
Humans are gifted with the ability to study and learn. We can watch a plant grow and examine matter under a microscope. In doing this, we can even make an educated guess as to what are the ideal conditions for that plant’s growth. In my opinion, though, no matter how much we learn about plants, we are still outsiders looking in.
When a plant grows in the wild, it is guided by its very own God given natural intelligence. This is the same intelligence that directs the cells to divide and eventually grow into a human fetus. It is something that the organism just knows how to do.
Plants know instinctively where they can get their needs met. Where is the best sunlight for their requirements? Rainwater? Soil type? You get idea.
For this reason wild plants are likely more nutritious than plants grown by our hand. I’m not discouraging growing your own food. I’m a big proponent of self-sufficiency and home grown produce is still quite nutritious. I am, however, suggesting that we should add in some wild plants for a nutritional boost as often as we can.
Why It Matters
A few years ago, when I came across this knowledge, I started studying foraging guides. It was thrilling to me to match names to the faces of “weeds” I had seen, and overlooked, my entire life. I was saddened to realize that the lovely Kousa Dogwood tree we had in front of our house for so many years, actually produced edible fruit.
I remember looking at the fruit on the tree and thinking, I wish this fruit was edible. Like so many others, I figured if you don’t see it in the grocery store, it’s not edible.
Many people have been programmed to eat what is well-known in the grocery store aisles. Without the knowledge of a forager we are missing out on the richness of nature’s bounty. Let’s change that and choose to learn about edible plants not found in your average grocery store.
Foraging for Observation
You don’t have to forage just to gather food. In the beginning you may decide to study the plants and test your knowledge. As you feel more confident you can start to sample your foraged wild edibles.
This is what I have been doing and with each foraging trip my confidence and enthusiasm grows. On a recent family trip, we took some meandering hikes through the woods. I was so excited to notice plants that were in my foraging guides. Not only did I recognize them, but I also properly identified them. It is an exciting moment when you realize your studies are paying off.
When I first started reading about wild plant identification I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of plants to learn. And also afraid of misidentifying them.
For those of you as intrigued by foraging as I am, I want to encourage you to keep learning and don’t let fear stop you. You will train your eye to see the subtle details of a plant. Differences in the texture or shape of a leaf will become very clear and guide you in your identification. Keep your books handy, take some classes, and look up plants on your phone while you are out in nature.
If you are unsure about a plant, photograph it and research later. As I said before, my foraging excursions are not always to collect plants. Firstly, many places will not allow you to collect plants at all or, at least, not without a permit. Secondly, I am still learning this craft. Every hike is a foraging trip for me. Even if I’m just studying the plants and then continuing on.
How to Discern and Appreciate Subtle Differences
Part of the joy of foraging is the thrill of the hunt. Searching through the endless layers of green for something recognizable. It’s a great feeling when you start to know the names of plants you never could identify before.
I want to show you some of the interesting plants I’ve seen in the woods on recent hikes. Remember, when you look around the woods it is a sea of green but when you zero in on one specific plant, you see how different they really are.
Take a look at the plants in the images below. Look at the difference in the structure and shape of the leaves. Notice how the broad leaves of the Mayapple are positioned like spokes on a wheel. Garlic Mustard has dramatic serrations that are irregular in shape and a delicate cluster of white flowers. Pawpaw leaves are oblong, club shaped leaves that get wider and then narrow again at the end. They also seem to droop gracefully.
Staghorn Sumac leaflets have a sharp point at the end and reddish stems. The clusters of berries are a similar shape to pine cones, though the pointed end faces up. Lastly, the frond-like leaves of the Yarrow are elegant and wispy. They remind me of a Foxtail Fern.
Plants Noted on Recent Hikes
Mayapple– Produces fruit that is edible, and said to be delicious, once fully ripe; meaning solid yellow with not a spec of green.
Garlic Mustard– Combine leaves with other greens to add a garlic mustard taste. Finely chopped roots are used as a horseradish and unopened flower buds are sauteed like broccoli rabe.
Pawpaw– Produces a sweet tropical tasting fruit with a custard like texture in late summer to early fall. Fruits will drop to the ground when ripe.
Staghorn Sumac– You can use the red berries to make an interesting spice or a refreshing drink. The taste is said to be tangy with a lightly floral hint.
Yarrow– This wild herb is more medicinal than culinary. You can crush the leaves and make a poultice to stop a cut from bleeding. Make a tea with the floral buds and leaves to aid menstrual cramps. Not for use during pregnancy.
Guidelines to Explore Safely
There are so many reasons to learn to forage and few reasons not to. If you forage sustainability you are leaving enough for wildlife and future harvests, so don’t worry about that. Foraging should give you a feeling of connecting to nature. It should stir something in you that mixes excitement with deeply rooted tradition. It’s a primal instinct. We may have forgotten in the digital age but we are hardwired to forage.
Foraging is a skill you can learn. You should start with a few plant varieties. Acquaint yourself not only with the plant you seek but also with look-alikes.
When you are sure you have the right plant, make sure you know how to prepare it. There are certain plants you will need to soak before consuming. Soaking removes remove bitter substances that cause gastrointestinal issues, called tannins. You can eat many varieties of plants in raw form. Still others will need to be cooked to be safe for your consumption. These kinds of details are imperative to learn before attempting to eat wild edibles.
Thoughts on Sampling
After a lot of study, I have sampled a new foraged plant and waited about 20 minutes before trying some more. This is my own method but it has worked well. Basically if it is going to disagree with me, I’ll know within about 20 minutes.
The foraging guides simply suggest “sampling a small amount” to see how you react. I know that sounds scary but if you have identified the plant properly and learned how to prepare it, most likely all that you will experience is a little nausea (if it is going to disagree with you at all). If you think about it this can happen with any new food we try. Of course if you tend to have a lot of food allergies, you may have to do more research to make sure there are not any substances in the wild foods that could trigger a reaction. This is where mindful self-study comes into play. Before foraging you should spend some time learning about the plants of interest.
In summary, foraging rekindles the youthful thrill of a scavenger hunt, providing an exhilarating connection with nature. While it may be an enjoyable pastime, foraging is more than just a hobby. It is a life skill that can help us to connect with our ancestors and times past. Embark on your journey with thorough research and you’ll safely discover the joys of foraging for yourself. Venture outdoors and relish the satisfaction that comes with it. Here’s to many happy returns to the wilderness—happy foraging!
