Wild Edible Hunters

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Comment by Carol on October 12, 2009 at 9:47am

I almost drool every time I see that photo of morels!
anyways, meadow mushroom season is upon us here in
southwestern Ontario. So far have only found button ones- at least the size of a large egg. Always the same cow pasture, dont understand the rhyme and reason for why they grow in one field and not the others, but I dont really care, as long as they keep appearing where I know they will be!
Puffballs must be happening but haven't even started looking yet.........

Comment by Victoria W. on September 21, 2009 at 9:32pm

Hello!
In answer to your questions Joel, I only have experience with the 'western' pad cactus, that also bears a bright deep red fruit. It is very common in our area of S. CA. I cut off the pads holding with tongs and then burn the stickers off with an open flame on the stove. I then scrape and wash ... slice into strips, and boil with onions, and garlic. I like the result chilled in salads, but can use in any recipe that needs a vegetable. Chopped in omelets is my favorite.

The cactus fruit has such an incredible color and makes a great drink, or a wonderful tasting and beautiful jam ... after peeling the pervasive sticker patches and removing the seeds. Use gloves!!! You can eat it raw after cleaning, or mix it with other fruit. I have tried it with peaches which it seems to compliment, and as a great jam on vanilla ice cream.

Dandelion root can be dried and ground and brewed into a satisfying drink, which I think smells great. Dries very hard so make sure your grinder is a strong one.

Best wishes on your endeavors!

Comment by Joel LeGrand on September 18, 2009 at 6:22pm

Hi everyone,
Victoria, how do you prepare cacti pads?
Does it matter if it is the sandy cactus or the large midwestern varitey cactus? Do U eat the cactus fruit(pear)?
Do you eat the Dandelion root also?
I like suncokes, poke, but stay away from mushrooms.

Comment by Victoria W. on September 18, 2009 at 12:10pm

Purlane is fantastic ... stir frys, salads, snack. Early 'wild' mustard greens, and later mustard flowers. Dandelion flower wine, and early leaves. Mostly that's it ... elderberries .... cactus pads and fruit, lambs quarters, amaranth, wild sunflower petals ... live in a town of 50K S. CA at 3000 ft ... oaks, and grassland ... all the comments about mushrooms have me drooling as I use to hunt with my father in Santa Cruz Mountains, CA.

Comment by Carol on September 18, 2009 at 11:32am

,Almost time for wild mushrooms! the last 4/5 years we have been harvesting these beautiful mushrooms, some larger than dinner plates. They grow (as far as I have been able to ascertain) only in cow pastures, NEVER horse. Neither of us have had any negative reactions to them. I clean, cut up and freeze in baggies. Then, there are shaggy manes, too. Soon!

Comment by Carol on September 9, 2009 at 9:34am

Oh boy I am glad to see this site!!
What do I go looking for?....
Mushrooms: Morels! Shaggy Manes! Bollettes!
Wild Leeks, feral (good description!) apple trees, hickory nuts, dandelion greens
wild asparagus.....
Mushrooms will be happening soon, excited about that!!

Comment by Pamela Paasche OHearn on September 8, 2009 at 9:56pm

we're doing some wild (elderberry) and some 'feral' (lots of abandoned apple trees and plum trees begging to be picked) now. We'll do elderberry wine this weekend.

Comment by Joel LeGrand on September 8, 2009 at 5:16pm

Hi everyone,
Any southern hunters who use Poke greens in spring?

Comment by Anje Van Berckelaer on September 8, 2009 at 7:19am

Howdy,
Became a fan of lamb's quarters and purslane this year foraging the urban vacant lots - loads of fun. I only wish morels were as easy to find!
cheers

Comment by Kathy on June 26, 2009 at 3:57pm

I am from Western MT and there are alot of wild foods around here. I have been looking to get a book to help me id edibles in this area. My Mom taught me alot while I was growing up but I know that there are others out there. If anyone knows of a good book I would love to here about it.

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