Veggi

nightshade · #1 (**permalink**) 19-02-2006, 01:31 PM

As there seem to be a number of vegeterians on board do any of them (come on Pat) use any of the native hedgerow plants etc to create culinary delights?

wildone · #2 (**permalink**) 19-02-2006, 03:02 PM

Unfotunately there are no hedgerows where I live. Opinion varies as to whether they were dragged out by the farmers or whether there were none in the first place. Results are the same - no flight paths for birds.

Fourwings · #3 (**permalink**) 19-02-2006, 03:03 PM

My wifes a veggie.
I once tried Dandelion leaves in a salad, suprisingly tastey I have to say, you just have to make sure you wash them well, especially if they've come from outside your garden as you never know what may have happened to them!

Pat · #4 (**permalink**) 19-02-2006, 04:50 PM

I've tried dandelion leaves and hawthorn but don't really know about anything else maybe I should look into it, where I walk there are plenty of hedgerows. Do any members know any edibles?

Tragus · #5 (**permalink**) 19-02-2006, 10:13 PM

Hi Pat

I went searching after I read your post and found this link...
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydie...dgerowharvest/

It may be of some use and I've bookmarked it so I can have a try too. I've used the obvious berries, but I've never been brave enough to test the fungi. I think you really need to KNOW what you are doing before you try the fungi species!!
I think you can eat nasturtiums (sp?) and jack by the hedge is supposed to have a garlicky taste isn't it?
Anyway here is another site which lists 150+ edible UK wild plants..
http://www.countrylovers.co.uk/wildfoodjj/rwfgplts.htm

Enjoy and happy eating!!

Pat · #6 (**permalink**) 19-02-2006, 10:21 PM

Thanks for taking an interest Tragus I'll take a look tomorrow.

Tinkerbell · #7 (**permalink**) 20-02-2006, 08:57 AM

An uncle of mine, who has just turned 90, recently compiled a list of uncultivated things he has gathered and eaten from the wild during his lifetime, and they amount to at least 32 different items. They include the aforementioned dandelion plus nettles, sorrel, bullace, damsons, sloes, winkles, cockles and rabbit plus 12 different fungi.

Add to this the 60 odd cultivated fruit and veg., plus goats milk, cheese, yoghurt etc. and the hen and goose eggs he acquired, he was the epitome of the 'good life' personified. I hope this tradition lives on.

nightshade · #8 (**permalink**) 20-02-2006, 01:56 PM

My grandfather lived in a two up two down cottage and was a great gardener, many a time I had to cycle to Bathto get just 2ozs of Long Red Surrey(a carrot variety)a twenty mile round trip!
He was also a great hedgerow cultivator,the front garden was huge,the back garden long and vaguely triangular but it seemed to go on forever as he had pinched 3-4 feet of land and hedgerow stretching for several hundred yards
In this strip he actively grew or encouraged many wild varieties of edible plant
He also trapped food animals, birds and collected eggs.
Unfortunately,although I was interested I accepted what went on and expected it would last forever as children do,so never made a study of the plants I do feel that this way of life helped shape the britain we know and should be included from time to time as it may explain some anomolies when plants are found out of the blue in strange locations

Turtletagger · #9 (**permalink**) 21-02-2006, 09:06 AM

This is another interesting thread, thanks Nightshade. As survival is one of my interests I have tried many plants that I find in the wild and in my garden. Nasturshum leaves and flowers, along with Marigold flowers are a favourite in a summer salad. Comfry I used as a poultice for a broken finger and it seemed to heal quickly. In Australia I grew Alo-vera in the garden and it was used externaly and internaly, probably thats why I have no wrinkles at my age of 66. I used to collect the Kelp off the reef and cook it fresh in batter or dry it, then crush it to fine grains and used in stews. Many species of shellfish could be eaten and the best meal I had was when I gathered a load of dry grass and burned it on top of an Oyster bed. The shells opened and the meat was easily extracted. The grubs of the Longicorn Beetle are exceptionaly taisty when fried in butter. Since I arrived back in England I have made a point of collecting the Blackberries and Billberries and any other edible berry I can find and I bought a Box Freezer, by the end of autumn the freezer is full. My wife and I are still enjoying a variety of berries every day but Im'e a bit worried that there will not be enough to last till we can gather more. I am still learning about the British plants and have'nt yet tried those salty, juicy plants that grow on the marshes that I believe are very good for ones health. Thanks for those web sites Tragus I will study them.