I hoped to squeeze this in earlier about foraging for edibles in the wild. Here it is: First, wild garlic mushroom roots growing in your backyard, though be careful to ensure they’re not the kind that make you very sick or even kill you.
The thought of clearing the snow away in the backyard looking for them never happened. I’ll mention then now.
I enjoy checking out wild edibles in the woods, though I’ve never known enough about them. I turned to Peter Blush who not only writes novels, but he’s wild about the wilds. He’s the owner of Puck’s Plenty Foraging Tours in Stratford, Ontario, and shares tips on foraging in the woods.
Peter insists you should have some basic knowledge. by reading such books as A Peterson Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Or The National Audubon Society Field Guide to Mushrooms. He mentions what other things to forage for in winter. Spring might be better, not having to dig through the snow for them.
Watercress, rose tips, white pine needles, wild cranberries and cattail roots. You’ll find them in green spaces and forests. Chicory roots and dandelion root both, he tells us, 'make good coffee substitutes.'
Why not throw in dandelion wine? Hmm. Good idea.
He lists such edibles as the velvet foot mushrooms found on dead hardwood. Or turkey tail mushrooms. used to make tea. Good for the immune system. Yet… I wouldn’t touch wild mushrooms without having an expert with me who knows which ones to eat; which ones to stay well away from.
Author’s comment: Here’s something which lifts my spirits – and hopefully yours. Our aging German Shepherd loves winter. Let her out the door, and she’ll fling herself down in the light fluffy snow and roll and roll around in it. See for yourself.
