Wild delicacies

As you well know, I love spending time in the outdoors. I have a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife, and what nature provides. Hence the reason I started this blog. One habit I have gotten into any time I go hiking, biking, climbing, etc, is looking at the plants around me and trying to identify them. "Is this plant harmful or helpful?" "How was this plant traditionally used by the local indigenous people?" and the question I ask myself most of all, "Is this plant edible!?" This past week I have been riding my bike on the local river trail in the evenings for exercise and fun. I decided to take my time one evening to identify the plants I had previously been zipping by. This is what I found!

To start off very basic and easy, I found a lot of dandelions. Most people see dandelions as weeds or obnoxious plants that have parachuted seeds that just come up everywhere you don't want them to. Dandelions are actually very healthy and useful as a green to help supplement your diet or a plant that can help clear up your skin. All parts of a dandelion are edible. The best in my opinion are the leaves while they are still small (if they get too big they may become bitter), the pre-mature flower buds and the tube like stalks. The roots can also be tasty roasted.

I continued along the trail and soon found some thistles. Again, the plant appears to be another weed but is actually edible and quite good, after you remove the spines of course. Just like dandelions the premature flowers and stalks are pretty good, after they've been peeled and roasted.

Further down the trail I was able to identify multiple varieties of fruits including two different type of plum, chokecherry, Oregon grape and mulberry. I also found some honeysuckle and white dog-wood osier, but wouldn't recommend eating those. The chokecherries and Oregon grape were quite bitter tasting, but I have since picked and dehydrated them and now they taste quite good. If you're looking for a real treat try some dried rose-hips, they taste almost like strawberry fruit leather and are quite addicting. Just make sure you clean the insides out first, don't eat the seeds or fine hairs that tend to irritate the skin.

The point of all this is that there are plenty of edible's all around us, we just need to know where to look and what to look for. Learn what types of plants are in your area or if you're camping or visiting a new area, learn beforehand what types of plants are there. You never know what may happen and it's always better to be prepared.

A word of caution. If you are not familiar with a plant, DONT eat it. The majority of plants are either toxic or non-edible. Even with plants that you identify as edible, if you've never eaten it, try a little bit first and wait to see if you have any reactions. Always do your homework, many edible plants can cause ill effects if eaten too regularly or in large amounts.

 

 

 

Picture #1- Mulberries
Picture #2- Chokecherries
Picture #3- Oregon grape
Picture #4- Rose hips