chicory -- coffee: elderberries--syrup and wine: watercress. rosehips from dog roses---syrup,jellie; chestnuts, walnuts, wild plums. I wish councils etc would plant fruit trees in parks and waste ground. nastuims(sp)--cappers; Free roosters. road kill ie fresh killed pheasants
annies3,
Feb 11, 2:54pm
Have been a big advocat for planting roadsides with edible trees and plants for ages it just makes so much sense, I love all trees but especially fruit and nuts, in our nearest town lots of the people plant their vegi gardens on the roadside, not the main road but little side streets, they do look so good too.
lythande1,
Feb 11, 3:39pm
Trouble is, that's a lot easier in England. They have lots of wild food plants, and game running around. We are somewhat limited here.
popelka1,
Feb 11, 5:40pm
Bit to far for me in the Waikato! lol
popelka1,
Feb 11, 5:41pm
Acre of blackberry is the empty overgrown section next door, no spray thank goodness, it also has the biggest grapevine as well! Can't wait to get my hands on them either!
lilyfield,
Feb 11, 8:30pm
My favorite is my knowledge of edible mushrooms. There are at least 10 different varieties to be found in NZ. Got most annoyed when some walkers totally destroyed a huge crop of fresh puff balls. I could have had a yummy meal. another fav: the ripe berries from my fuchsias. also of course nasturtiums flowers, leaves and the seeds are great for pickling. I have so much onion weed in my garden that I don't buy onions any more. chopping the greens and freezing gives me enough all the year round.
trading_gibsons,
Feb 11, 8:39pm
Lucky you! we used to go bush when we were kids to a huge blackberry patch with buckets & planks of wood to reach those hard to get at berries
daleaway,
Feb 11, 9:07pm
Some cautions: Don't pick too close to busy roads as there will be heavy metal pollution from runoff, car exhausts etc. There have been NZ studies measuring this.
Also be cautious with the cleanliness of watercress and the water it is growing in.
I endorse that councils should plant more roadside fruits and nuts, except of course there would be no pest or disease aftercare and they could end up pools of pests and diseases for home gardeners (and commercial orchardists too!). Certainly I have not seen wild apples without codlin moth. But some types of e.g. plum are pest resistant.
Then all we would have to worry about would be the human pests that robbed out the trees and onsold the produce.
lindylambchops1,
Feb 11, 9:26pm
Foraged today & got a nice container of blackberries to go with the home grown garden apples picked today too.All cooked & ready for dessert with ice cream!
sumstyle,
Feb 11, 10:09pm
You didn't read the post properly methinks.The website momma1 suggested gives lots of hints on foraging, which photos to help you id common plants etc, recipes for how to use your bounty.
Fushia seeds! Didn't know that one!.so you pickle them! can you share a recipe please. I must see if I can find a neighbour who has onion weed growing, or maybe go for a long walk out in the rural areas lol
mackkas,
Feb 12, 3:58am
Where did you learn about which mushrooms are safe to eat!
bev00,
Feb 12, 6:17am
Would anyone have a recipe for elderberry cordial please.
parsondian,
Feb 13, 1:41am
Wild fennel is difficult to pull out and it doesn't have a bulb to eat only the root. Fronds are alright as a flavor.
parsondian,
Feb 13, 1:43am
I got a good book about edible mushrooms and how to identify them plus leave a sample in the fridge for the coroner (just in case).
schnauzer11,
Feb 13, 2:55am
I'm with you,lilyfield!Have been eating wild fungi for years.From the copious boletes that pop up in our driveway,to the bounty in Bottlelake Forest in Autumn!I always carry my NZ fungi reference-book,and,if in doubt-don't! Gotta love those boletes,though.
In large saucepan, boil first 4 ingredients for 15 minutes.Let sit 24 hours; strain.To liquid, add sugar.Boil at low boil for 2 hours or until quite thick.Put in jars; let cool.Seal.
Source: 'Pioneer Women of the Yukon' Cookbook, Dawson City, Yukon, June 1995
AUNT DAISY'S GORSE WINE 1/2 gallon gorse flowers 1 gallon water 2 oz root ginger 1 oz compressed yeast 3 lb demerara sugar or best brown 1 orange 1 lemon
Simmer flowers, water and ginger together for 15 minutes.Stir in sugar till dissolved.Slice orange and lemon, and add to cooling liquid.When lukewarm, spread yeast on piece of toast, and float on top.Cover with folded blanket; leave undisturbed for a week.Then skim off head.Strain into jar, allow to work another week before corking lightly.A few raisins and a lump of sugar keep it lively.
Blend the chopped eggs with the butter, mayonnaise, cream and cheese, mixing with a wooden spoon.Add parsely, black pepper and salt.Spoon the mixture into the centre of each flower and press in firmly. Arrange the Nasturtium leaves on a platter and sprinkle with oil and vinegar.Place the stuffed flowers on the leaves around the outside of the platter.Fill the gap in the centre with any left-over mixture.Sprinkle with chopped walnuts to garnish.
Source: Old New Zealand Queenstown cookbook
schnauzer11,
Feb 13, 2:56am
Fuschia berries,when purple,are sweet and juicy-eat as any other berry.
schnauzer11,
Feb 13, 2:57am
Quite right.Bulb fennell is a different variety.
schnauzer11,
Feb 13, 2:58am
Which book do you use! I've got a favourite-Mobil NZ Nature Series:Mushrooms and Toadstools.
earsd,
Feb 13, 8:54pm
oxalis weed is nice, lemony zing to salads :)
purplegoanna,
Feb 13, 9:03pm
You can make bread out of raupo weed heads.
parsondian,
Feb 13, 9:04pm
The practical mushroom encyclopedia, Identifying, picking and cooking with mushrooms by Peter Jordan & Steven Wheeler.
bev00,
Feb 16, 4:27am
keeping alive the foragers collective .
junie2,
Feb 16, 4:38am
Japonica apples make fabulous jelly. They're disgusting to eat raw, and always look scruffy, so are often overlooked. In St Albans Chch there are streets lined with plum trees. Very few residents use them but they make great sauce.
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