So what's the appeal of scouring nearby fields or
alleys with basket and knife in hand?
“Foraging connects one to the natural
environment; even the pickiest of eaters
have been seen foraging and enjoying
munching on all the delights of the
natural world,” she says. I decided to put
the theory to the test and reluctantly
plucked some purslane from a crevice
between two patio stones in my yard.
Until then, having only handled it in order
to toss it into the compost pile, I felt a bit
hesitant in taking a bite. Surprisingly, it
was rather good; crunchy and succulent
with a mildly sweet taste that was far
from what I expected. I must admit that I
didn't pluck more for the dinner salad but
now find myself giving it a friendly nod
If you know where to look and how, you can find a
anytime I come across some.
multitude of green goodness in the wild
But as appealing as the thought
sounds, one must be aware that not all of
or otherwise inedible ones,” says Tremblay.
Mother Nature's gifts are meant to be consumed.
Apparently the ones we've been enjoying along the
"Poison ivy comes to mind," says Tremblay. And, "I
LaSalle trail have been of the edible variety. Thank
don't forage mushrooms as they are too easy to
goodness for that. We've eaten enough of them to use
misidentify and require a very skilled and
up several life times.
knowledgeable person as a guide." See paragraph
If eating food found in the wild is not something
number three for the consequences of picking
that sounds appealing, perhaps using nature's bounty
questionable mushrooms. "I do not guide others in
foraging for berries as there are too many poisonous for medicinal purposes is. Several plants found in
abundance in Windsor/Essex have been
used to treat everything from mild scuffs,
scrapes and abrasions(calendula, plantain)
to bouts of insomnia(chamomile or lemon
balm infused in your bath water or drunk
It’s amazing what you can find
grwing on your own patio - purslane!
September 2015 - The HUB 29