Any Brits into wild food?

[Holly]

Just wondered if there were any Brits interested in this part of the forum, as we will be experiencing the same seasons and plants as each other.

I am quite nervous of eating wild foods, as I (I think sensibly) require a 100% positive id before Ill eat it. If I see something Im unsure of, Ill often take a photo and try to match it to several pictures as well as the one in the book I often carry with me.

Knowledgeable or not, it would be good to get in touch with some British wild food fans. (Oh, and its great to chat to you in the US as well!)

Peace.

[idris]

Just so long as you don't eat plants from the roadside: too much lead and other poisons from vehicles and 'weed-killers'. Dandelion, purslane, ribwort, nettle: nothing to it. We have them all in Australia, too. Have been doing it for years, and never had a problem. A ramble into the wilds should be sustained by browsing upon the wild edibles found there: no need to collect great bunches. Another good one is the starch in the white lower part of grass stems: keeps one going; just chew on it, as on a haystraw. Dried leaf can be kept for winter soups.

[lateaprildawn]

Hi Holly, I really love foraging and although i live in the inner city I have a large wood on my doorstep. I must admit that autumn fruits are my main target, simply fabulous blackberries.

One amazing place to forage is along the canal banksruning past sheffields derelict steel works, lots of apple trees with fruit simply falling to rot. I just stroll along and take what i need.

I have learnt to identify a lot of the native herbs & edible vegetation to be brutally honest, i dont like the taste of most BUT if there ever came a time when they were necessary for survival they would be part of my diet.