Fresh Forage

 

And so begins one of my favourite times of the year, Spring forage time!

From now till June, abundant wild greens are available in the allotments and hedgerows. It only takes a few minutes to fill a carrier bag full of mineral and vitamin-rich salad greens.

This was my first collection yesterday, a large bag of Cleavers, Ramsons, Garlic mustard, Dandelions and some chives from my plot. The Cleavers, sticky willies, are a great addition as long as you pick them young. Under 20cm seems a good size without them getting too fuzzy or stringy. The Garlic mustard will be around right up till June and makes a flavoursome addition to salads, but can also be used to make a fresh Pesto. Ramsons, wild garlic, will be harvestable until the end of May usually though sometimes longer depending on where you're located. With this I make my favourite Pesto, if made with only the leaves and oil will keep for months in the fridge only needing some cheese and ground nuts before use. Dandelions are an all-year provider of tasty leaves with a slightly bitter aftertaste like chicory or radicchio. Although if picked from very poor soil can have a much more bitter flavour, a nibble when picking will let you know.

Uses for all the above can include Pesto, salad, shredded and used as a topping, after cooking, on pizza or pasta dishes. My simple pleasure is sandwiched between some fresh bread.