If you are only looking for Morels
, you’re missing out on easier to find edibles!
Here is a recent forest haul, clockwise from Morels at 11:00: young Fireweed, Huckleberry leaves, Wooly Britches, Glacier Lilies, and baby Nettles. Everything is super nutritious and FREE.
The most important harvesting rule is to never over-harvest an area. Pluck just a few leaves or plants and move on.
The Next Important harvesting rule is to carry plucked mushrooms in a mesh bag so the spores release into the woods. Onion bags work well. Store mushrooms for a day or two in a colander or paper bag. Cook or dehydrate as soon as possible.
Generally, you harvest wild baby greens and sauté them. Last summer I was excited to find *fireweed* in Maven Haven’s garden. No one fessed up to sowing the seeds, and I happily chomped away. They eventually grew up into just…weeds. I still don’t know what I was eating, but I had no adverse effects.
You can easily find wild greens. Nettles tend to like the inside curve of forest roads and big rocks. Wooly Britches and Fireweed tend to grow in open areas away from dense pine needles. They all tend to like mildly disturbed areas and roadsides.
Do not heat wild flowers like Glacier Lilies and other small violet-like flowers. They all seem to be edible. Just add them to salads or as garnish.
Young Huckleberry leaves are used for tea. Just dry and store them in a tin. I grind them into a fine powder and sprinkle over my fat kitty’s food. Huckleberry leaves help regulate blood sugar, so I’m preventing kitty diabetes.
Slice and sauté morels in a hot skillet until any water evaporates, especially if re-hydrated. Then add olive oil and/or butter.
To learn more, you can attend one of Darcy Williamson’s Wild Food weekends. Subscribe here for her regular email updates or like us at Mavens’ Haven.