When you put food on a plate to serve to yourself and your family, you probably got those vegetables at a farmer's market or grocery store. Perhaps you grew some or maybe all of them in your backyard, if you like gardening. Though these are by far the most popular ways to source food, there is a growing forage California movement that gives you an alternative way to put food on the table.
No matter where you live, there is likely an abundance of food available nearby in a wooded area. A short drive can take you to a forest or open field where things like greens or mushrooms grow wild. These and any other foods you find can be used by everyone from meat eaters to vegans to provide a healthy meal that tastes great and didn't cost a dime to get.
Thankfully, those without transportation or who just don't have time to drive out into the woods are not out of luck. Urban foraging is a growing branch of this movement that requires you only to walk around your neighborhood or city to find goodies to eat. Look for places that are abandoned or open spaces with bushes and vines and perhaps trees that are bearing fruit. Pick, wash an serve for your next meal.
In coastal areas, foragers are going for far more than just fruits and veggies to get free food. In bay areas, scallops and especially pricey abalones can be found and harvested, giving the lucky harvesters a real, free surf and turf experience. Of course, this can still be dangerous if you are not experienced, so this is not something anyone should be doing without experience.
If you just drive to the nearest forest and try to find edibles without knowing what you are looking for, you could end up in trouble. Not every wild plant you find will be tasty. In some cases, not only do they taste bad, but they may even be dangerous if ingested. It is good to go out on your first trip armed with knowledge, so consider taking a class that many local foragers offer in order to not only grow the movement, but to keep people safe from potentially harmful plants.
Another alternative to classes is a guided tour. Think of this as learning on the job. You get to pick things to eat later while ensuring that they are not only edible, but delicious as well. You will learn how to avoid things that are dangerous and only get the best of the best.
There are even some restaurants that are opening that have a menu based either entirely or at least partly on whatever wild foods happen to be in season. Some of these are permanent locations that are open five to seven days per week, while others are pop up restaurants that are only available for a short time before they close shop.
Enjoy yourself as you try this new way to eat, but keep a few things in mind. Be considerate of others by only taking what you need, that way others get to take some home, too. Local laws have had to be passed in some places due to stripping of wild plants. Avoid this so that you and everyone else can have a good time.
No matter where you live, there is likely an abundance of food available nearby in a wooded area. A short drive can take you to a forest or open field where things like greens or mushrooms grow wild. These and any other foods you find can be used by everyone from meat eaters to vegans to provide a healthy meal that tastes great and didn't cost a dime to get.
Thankfully, those without transportation or who just don't have time to drive out into the woods are not out of luck. Urban foraging is a growing branch of this movement that requires you only to walk around your neighborhood or city to find goodies to eat. Look for places that are abandoned or open spaces with bushes and vines and perhaps trees that are bearing fruit. Pick, wash an serve for your next meal.
In coastal areas, foragers are going for far more than just fruits and veggies to get free food. In bay areas, scallops and especially pricey abalones can be found and harvested, giving the lucky harvesters a real, free surf and turf experience. Of course, this can still be dangerous if you are not experienced, so this is not something anyone should be doing without experience.
If you just drive to the nearest forest and try to find edibles without knowing what you are looking for, you could end up in trouble. Not every wild plant you find will be tasty. In some cases, not only do they taste bad, but they may even be dangerous if ingested. It is good to go out on your first trip armed with knowledge, so consider taking a class that many local foragers offer in order to not only grow the movement, but to keep people safe from potentially harmful plants.
Another alternative to classes is a guided tour. Think of this as learning on the job. You get to pick things to eat later while ensuring that they are not only edible, but delicious as well. You will learn how to avoid things that are dangerous and only get the best of the best.
There are even some restaurants that are opening that have a menu based either entirely or at least partly on whatever wild foods happen to be in season. Some of these are permanent locations that are open five to seven days per week, while others are pop up restaurants that are only available for a short time before they close shop.
Enjoy yourself as you try this new way to eat, but keep a few things in mind. Be considerate of others by only taking what you need, that way others get to take some home, too. Local laws have had to be passed in some places due to stripping of wild plants. Avoid this so that you and everyone else can have a good time.
About the Author:
To preserve and restore native grasses, consider learning more about forage California. Here is the blog that explains more on this topic at http://livingwild.org.
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