While out on a walk with a friend a couple of weeks ago, we
noticed some Miner's Lettuce growing rampantly along the parking strip. We both
remarked, "Oh, it's an edible!" and quickly snapped up a few leaves.
It was only after we each swallowed those little green mouthfuls that I asked,
"I wonder how many neighborhood dogs have peed here?" Yuck!
In the early spring there are many, many wild edibles that
most of us view as weeds. You will find them growing alongside neighborhood
sidewalks, front lawns, flower beds, and pretty much anywhere. There are so
many wild edibles growing throughout your neighborhood that you could build a
salad for your dinner.
However, before you put any of these wild edibles in your
mouth (this is one of those 'do as I say, not as I do' kind of scenarios) you
would want to make sure to only harvest what you can correctly identify, know
has not had any chemicals applied, or been peed on by neighborhood dogs.
Essentially, I would stick to collecting wild edibles from places that are not
in high traffic areas.
Or, you can cultivate some of them in your own garden. These
little violets, which look quite pretty on a salad, are growing all throughout
my front garden. I used to despise these violets because they were everywhere.
I also have history with this plant that added to my dislike. In college I had
a summer job for a retired professor. I kept house for him and worked in his
garden. I spent weeks pulling violets from his gardens and swore I never wanted
to see another violet again. And here they now grow in my own garden. I did NOT
plant them mind you. This year I am trying to view them as the pretty little
edible flower that they are and not as a plant to hate. They are slowly winning
their way back into my heart.
Dandelions are another spring edible that are easy to find
and identify. Their leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and their flowers make a
fun little fritter. And of course there is dandelion wine (I have never tried
it. I've only had my mom tell me about it). I have found that our pet rabbits
love dandelions, and our chickens do too. Apparently they are the perfect
spring green for everyone. If you are not into eating dandelions, consider
leaving them for the bees. Or your neighborhood kids who are looking to make a
wish.
One last addition to your Suburban Salad...Bittercress, also
known as Shotweed. Beginning in the winter and leaning into the spring, you can
find bittercress just about anywhere in my garden. This is a weed that can be
eaten raw in salads or on sandwiches. Pick it early in the season before the
flowers go to seed. If not, you will quickly discover why it also goes by the
name Shotweed (you might consider wearing protective eye wear!). Again, this is
a weed that our chickens gobble up.
Two books that I recommend to help you identify what is
edible and know how to prepare it would be The
Front Yard Forager by Melany Vorass Herrera and Foraging
Washington by Christopher Nyerges. Each of these books have great
pictures, written descriptions as well as look alikes to watch out for. As the
year moves into summer, you will be able to forage wild berries and dozens of
other delicious plants.
Happy Foraging,
Bekah