-
·
Wild Rice as a Living Food Tradition
Wild rice is one of the few foods in North America that is still gathered, prepared, and eaten much as it has been for generations. The species most commonly referred to as wild rice, Zizania palustris, is native to the upper Great Lakes region and occurs naturally in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, as well as…
-
·
Pine Needles: The needed green among the winter white
I’ve been absent for a few weeks, but I’m happy to be back! I’ve been swamped with my “day job,” which is running a nonprofit news organization. Add in the usual holiday bustle and—most exciting of all—the fact that I’ve officially completed my training to become a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and… whew! It’s been a…
-
·
Wild Plums
Depending on where you are, it may be too late in the season for wild plums, but I wanted to write about them this week, anyway. I grew up in Central California, where plums are a plentiful agricultural crop, grown in beautiful, cultivated orchards. I never considered that they also grew freely in the wild…
-
·
Best fall foraging greens (and 2 are probably in your yard)
Fall foraging isn’t just about berries and roots. These fall foraging greens such as dandelion, plantain, stinging nettle, and violet are easy to find, packed with nutrients, and often growing right in your yard.
-
·
Foraging rose hips to pack a powerful punch of vitamin C
Rose hips are one of the best wild sources of vitamin C and a bright addition to fall foraging. Learn how to identify, harvest, and preserve them for teas and herbal blends packed with seasonal flavor and nutrients.
-
·
Bring the bold flavor of sumac into your fall foraging
Sumac offers a strong lemon substitute just when fresh citrus feels out of season. Learn how to identify and harvest it, plus try a recipe for a sumac loaf.
-
·
Motherwort for Foragers: 5 Simple Tips to Spot and Use This Powerful Herb
This summer I discovered I have a close connection with motherwort. I foraged a ton last year and transplanted one small plant. This year it popped up all over my yard. Big, beautiful motherwort plants, everywhere I look. I know we have an aversion to the word “wort,” but when talking about plants we’re using…
