Edible flowers and leaves
- Primroses
- Violets
- Dandelion
- Wild garlic
- Daisies
- Hogweed shoots
- Nettles
- Crow garlic
- Hawthorn flowers and shoots
- Young beech leaves
- Larch leaf buds
Newly unfurled hogweed shoots taste of a mixture of celery and carrots but make sure you have correctly indentified the plant before you eat any part. Hogweed is part of the carrot family which includes some of the UK's most poisonous plants. To be absolutely sure that you can identify these delicious plants we would advise you attend one of our hedgerow foraging courses.
Wild garlic and nettles
Spring brings a huge burst of edible leaves most notably wild garlic and nettles. Every part of the wild garlic plant can be eaten though be careful as the smell and taste are very strong - only use a small amount in your recipes. Nettles on the other hand can be gathered in large quantities and turned into a whole range of dishes including delicious Nettle and Wild garlic soup. Nettles are full of vitamins and minerals so make a valuable addition to our diet, and they are everywhere and easy to find. Using rubber gloves to protect from stings and scissors, cut off the top two sets of tender leaves. Nettles can be added to a huge range of dishes - curries, omelettes, soups, pakoras, stews etc but we love to use them in a simple nettle tea. Infuse the leaves in hot water for a few minutes (a cafetière is perfect for this) until the water turns green, sweeten if you like and enjoy this calming and nutrious drink.
Elderflowers
The heady perfume of the elderflower is like no other,some people find it's scent beautifully sweet whilst others think it smells of cats' wee. If you are in the first group then you might already buy elderflower cordial from the supermarket. It is surprisingly easy to make your own though along with elderflower wine and fizz, and elderflower delight, a different form of the more usual Turkish delight which is made from roses. Elderflowers can be added to a huge range of sweet dishes including biscuits and cakes. Our favourite recipe though is the oh so moreish Elderflower Delight (once tasted never forgotten). The best recipe is from John Wright of River Cottage fame and can be found at the following:-
https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/elderflower-delight
Elder plants can be found across the UK in hedgerows and gardens. In May/Jun the large, flat, cream coloured flower heads start to open. Pick them just after they have opened and before they start to go brown and this way you will get them at their best. Important tip though - make sure you give each flower head a good shake as you pick them so that all the tiny beetles and other insects are left behind in the hedge.
Nettle, sorrel and walnut pesto
Ingredients (for 2 people) :-
- 50g washed nettle leaves and tips (only the thinnest stems left on)
- 20g walnuts (or your favourite nut)
- Large handful of sorrel leaves
- 2 or 3 wild garlic leaves or 1 bulb of garlic
- 20g parmesan / pecorino / strong cheddar - grated
- 100ml of olive oil or cold pressed rapeseed oil
- A little salt (not too much as there is a lot of salt in the cheese
- A good grind of black pepper
- Half fill a large bowl with cold water and ice cubes.
- Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and then add the nettle leaves. Simmer for a minute to deactivate the stings and then drain through a sieve (save the water as you now have nettle tea). Plunge the nettles into the icy water to stop the cooking. Once cold, squeeze the liquid out of the nettles (more tea!) until they are quite dry.
- Using a blender or a stick blender add all the ingredients into the blender bowl and whizz until you have a smooth, slightly sloppy paste. This will keep in the fridge for a few days.
- Serve with pasta or dotted over a salad, pizza or soup. Enjoy!
