Have you ever tried foraging for food? When I was a child, my grandparents lived on some wooded land and they allowed us to forage for wild berries or other edible foods that we could find in their woods. We were able to find blackberries, mulberries, and dewberries. Picking our own food was some of the most fun I’ve had as a child.
The woods do not only hold wild berries. There are actually lots of plants native to forest environments that are edible and delicious. Make a list of plants native to your region, and take the family out on a foraging adventure one day for a special family event – it’s great practice in the event that you actually need to forage due to some kind of an emergency when you may not have access to store-bought food. Make sure you have permission to harvest the plants before picking, and instruct your family members on what plants to watch out for (poison ivy, poison oak, etc.) as well as the types to pick.
Edible Spring Greenery in the Woods
Look for the following plants when the snow is just melting and the threat of frost is gone:
- Trout Lily: Both the flowers and bulbs are edible. The plant has a fresh taste like a cucumber.
- Wild leek: The plant smells like onions when crushed. You can eat the leaves and the bulbs just like any other onion-related plant.
- Parsnip root: A parsnip is white, and carrot-shaped, and actually related to a carrot. The root is edible and tastes similarly to carrots as well.
- Burdock root: The leaves of the Burdock plant are edible, but extremely bitter. The root is much tastier. Try cooking it like potatoes.
- Sorrel: Sorrel is a delicious green that can be made into a salad or cooked like spinach. It’s fabulous made into a pesto as it has a naturally tangy taste.
Keep reading for Edible Spring Greenery in Flatlands
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Edible Spring Greenery in Flatlands
No woods local to your area? You may be able to find some of these plants in flat, grassy areas:
- Dandelion: Dandelions are fresh and delicious in a salad, and are popular to make into homemade wine. Just don’t pick and eat the dandelions in your yard if you use fertilizer or pesticides.
- Wild garlic: Wild garlic is simply a wild form of the garlic you buy in-store. Try it roasted for a delicious snack.
- Nettle: Nettles are a nuisance in the yard, but they are surprisingly good to eat. Try the leaves in place of spinach in salads, or cook them as a side dish. They also make an earthy-flavored tea.
Learn more: 7 Ways To Prepare and Eat Nettles
Learn more: Dandelion Facts, Info, and Recipes
Making the Most of Edible Spring Plants
Gathering wild plants to eat is a fun spring activity for the whole family. Not only does it give you more variety to eat today, it also prepares you for the future and helps children see natural landscapes in a whole new light.
Do you eat spring greenery? What are your favorites?