The first half of August has been an absolute bolete bonanza! Kings, Summer Ceps, Porcini, Bicolors, Bouillons and Painted Boletes (just to name a few) are covering forest floors. A change to cooler nighttime temperatures have also encouraged numerous fall mushrooms to begin fruiting earlier than normal.
My hands have been permanently stained all week, alternating between bright yellow from the pollen coated elderflowers in full bloom to deep purple from ripe, juicy mulberries. And, my cupboards have reached maximum capacity, with over 200 jars of canned jams, jellies, sauerkrauts and pickled delights.
June truly is a forager’s paradise! As lilacs and magnolias die back, new edible flowers welcome warmer temperatures with their sweet smelling blooms, including black locust (pictured above), elderflower, dame’s rocket, beach rose and linden. Seasonings and herbs like peppergrasses and mints beg to be added to salads, pickles and wild crafted cocktails or mocktails. And salt marshes explode with succulent, salty treasures including samphire. orache, sea beans and beach peas.
For the first time this year, I’ll be offering an exclusive forage followed by all things ramp tasting on May 2 in Framingham. The season’s first forage and wild food picnic on May 23 in Lynn will also feature a heavy dose of ramp dishes.
Wild spring greens pesto is a breeze to make and has been hand’s down one of my most popular dishes at my tastings and picnics. I make a slightly different variation each week based on what is growing in my yard, but the base is always the same and I think the secret to this recipe’s success – sorrel!
While January through March is prime time for clamming, there is an even easier forage right at your finger tips – invasive species! You don’t need a license or fancy equipment to gather these pesky but delicious critters either. Flip up a few rocks in the tidal zone and you can have a tasty meal in no time.
The first snowflakes have fallen, the turkey leftovers are gone and the holiday season is in full swing! Before we busy ourselves with shopping, travel plans and year-end festivities, I wanted to share some of the latest foraging news, happenings and gift ideas to help ease the stress!
The spring foraging season is officially in full swing! With the unseasonably warm temperatures and consistent rain, many wild edibles are popping up a few weeks earlier than normal. May is one of my favorite months to forage due to it’s wide variety of edible treasures.
If you have spent any time walking along the coast of New England you have undoubtedly encountered the common periwinkle (Littorina littorea) clinging to the bottom of rocks in inter tidal zones. What you may not know is that these rather prolific snails are invasive to our waters.
Winter weather has finally hit New England with recent snowfall and below freezing wind chills. And while the forest and field edibles have gone largely dormant, there are still plenty of wonderful wild food environments to explore.