Forraging....Ramsons.... wild garlic!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[glacidtek]

Walking in the woods at this time can be wonderful - spring is in the air, trees are beginning to bud and optomism is everywhere.

Also, the pungent smell of wild garlic - isnt nature wonderfull!

We filled two bin-bags full of it..... blended with olive oil, and stored in the freezer - more than enough to last the year.


There a few weeks of Ramson growth still to come, depending on where in UK your located.... I urge you asll to get forraging!

Ramsons - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Ramsons - Allium ursinum
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Ramsons - Allium ursinum
© Dr Chris Gibson/English NatureRamsons or wild garlic grows from a small bulb and often spreads to form large clumps. It has broad, shiny bright-green leaves, and bares clusters of beautiful, white star-shaped flowers at the end of a long stem. Ramsons can be found in damp woods, scrub, hedges and on shady banks, where its garlicky aroma will fill the air.
"
http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o738-ramsons.php

We have made a few batches of Waikld-garlic Pesto: http://community.rivercottage.net/users/pamjam/recipes/wild-garlic-pesto

Its beautiful....we had hoped to jar and sell loads, but there seems to be maassive amounts of red-tape involved with farmers markets.

[glacidtek]

oh..... just pick the green leafs:

wonderfull pepper hit, then strong garlic flavour when raw.... loses the kick when cooked!

[shansuke]

i know where thers loads of this,and what do you know ive got a day off,cheers.

[glacidtek]

The humble Nettle... what can I say - nothing short of amazing little, often overlooked plant.

Prolific growing throughout the year, so plentyfull supply..... pick the young shoots - the top bud of each stalk will be the youngest and freshest.

Raw - washed and eaten raw it tastes of a wonderful combination of over-ripe melon and cucumber..... combine with above mentioned Ramsons./Wild Garlic, Dandelion Leaf and petals for a fresh forraged Salad with the taste of Spring!

Cooked it looses most of its taste, but workes well as a spinach substitute - we made a Nettle Lasagna on Friday, and it was wonderfull to have such a hearty meal with the main ingrediant being provided by nature free of any charge.

Its jam packed full of vitamines and minerals, and packs a protein punch of 10%.

[montesmobileseramus]

Here in Mothman country we have a related species commonly known as ramps.

Allium tricoccum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Several towns have ramp festivals that draw crowds of thousands. One can sample ramp sauces, ramp stews, ramp pizza, or even ramp candy.

Each year t the end of April I go with several friends on a camping & ramp-picking expedition. We usually come home with several bushels of ramps each. It's almost time!

[glacidtek]

Sounds like fun..... we are having a ramson-mini-festival at our place at the moment!

It seems to be a plant thats easily overlooked in the UK... but impossible to miss with the earthy pungent aroma.

Wheres Mothman country?

[montesmobileseramus]

The aroma certainly is hard to miss!

Mothman country = West Virginia

Mothman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mothman Prophecies - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[glacidtek]

i know where thers loads of this,and what do you know ive got a day off,cheers.

How did you get on?

[rowantk]

Yummy!!!! I made nettle and wild garlic soup last spring/summer. Its amaaaazing! Put in some onion and potato to thicken it up. Makes for some really nice, fresh, natural food. Its free and grows everywhere!! :)

[glacidtek]

just a reminder.... wild garlic only grows for a month at most.....

if its growing where you are, I'd grab it while you can.

wont be long till its gone.