Edible Field Maple Seeds

[Broch]

Our Field Maples (Acer campestre) seeds are all turning their lovely shade of red now.

This is my favourite time to eat them as even the wings are tender and they can be chewed raw or steamed - make sure you remove the tough stalk. Raw they taste faintly of apple peel which, unfortunately, is lost a bit when they are boiled but, with a knob of butter, they are still quite palatable.

In a few weeks they will be too tough and only the 'pea' will be edible, again raw or cooked, but the tannins start to come through and leaching is advisable.

 

[Toddy]

Wouldn't they be a good addition to a foraged stir fry ?

 

[Broch]

Yes it does - I just treat it like I would 'mange tout' or similar. The other great thing about this food is that it's easy to gather decent amounts quickly and without too much effort.

 

[Mesquite]

Never knew you could eat them. You learn something new every day

 

[Broch]

You can also pickle them to preserve them for later in the year - I like a sweetish pickle

 

[Onelifeoverland]

I just walked past a shed load of them this morning. I didn't know they were edible either.

So I know what I'll be going home with a pouch full of today

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