It’s been a while since my last post – we’re having a new kitchen installed and that’s taking up quite a lot of our mental energy. I’m thrilled to bits that our new ‘food hub’ will have dedicated open shelves for my Kilner jars full of foraged leaves, and a rack for our homemade wine. Pictures to follow in a couple of weeks!
Even though it’s still pretty cold up here, things are happening on the leaf front. Today I saw the Hawthorn is coming out:
The young leaves can be eaten raw, just like the flower buds when they appear. You can also dry the leaves and make tea (I love making tea with anything).
Meanwhile the beeches are still clinging on to their foliage from last year! A befriended arborealist told us that this is to prevent deer eating the young buds – the old leaves taste really astringent. Now, this property makes them also highly suitable for – you guessed it – tea! I picked some today and they’re crisping up on the stove as we speak.
Great excitement as I walked on through the James Hutton grounds: wild garlic is finally here! I didn’t pick any as we don’t have a fully operational kitchen (the plan is to live on made-ahead microwave meals), but it was still lovely to see.
Then, under a tree near the end of the path, I found what I expected to find there: the first Spring Cavalier of the season! I found it there last year, and for some reason it was very moving to see it pop its wee brown head above the soil again.
They are delicious, but there was only one so I left it to spore and hopefully multiply. It won’t be long now until the St. George’s appear. I’m very excited about the season ahead and wish you all a happy Spring!
The healthy forager 