Hedgerow food?

[Asa Samuel]

Hi, I live near the coast in cornwall and there is a lot of farmland so there aren't really any forest areas to go looking for food in but there is a lot of hedgerow, so I was wondering what foods I should be looking for in hedgerow?

The only ones I know of that I've seen here is alexanders and gorse, I've not tired the alexanders yet but I tried the gorse petals and it just tasted like grass, when it's supposed to taste like coconut!

Are there any web-pages you guys could link for me with info about hedgerow food?

Thanks,
Asa.

 

[Toddy]

I tripped across a Penzance one this morning trying to find seaweeds for a reply to a thread by Lostboy...........coastal though, but very good I thought.

http://www.pznow.co.uk/marine/redseaweed.html

Might make for an interesting wander, not many here talk of gathering and eating sea veggies.

I know the plants I see around me here, I don't know your area, hopefully someone will be along shortly to answer your original query

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Dspec]

hey mate,

I watched an episode of river cottage the other night with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and that forager expert fellow John Wright, he wrote a book about the edible seashore might be worth a look?

http://www.rivercottage.net/ShopProduct31/WalkontheWildsideEdibleSeashore.aspx

I also found that the local library and nurseries are also a good resource, good luck with it,

 

[Asa Samuel]

That edible seashore book looks quite good. The sea is a fair walk away though, which is why I am more interested in food from hedgerows.

 

[pheasant plucker]

Try the Collins gem food for free book, packed with info on what's edible and when it's available. Then if you use it with a good photographic plant guide you should'nt go far wrong ;-)
PP

 

[Iona]

Roger Phillips "Wild food" is good too, and has recipes and stuff. There's too much to go into, and without pics it's useless anyway. I got my copy cheap on Amazon a while back. Might be worth a look?

 

[daveyc]

Hi Asa,
I live in Devon but make a trip down cornwall fairly regularly.... You should be able 2 find Jack by the hedge, Navelwort, Stitchwort, Hawthorn leaves, and Ramsons..... plus others but that'll get you started! I know what your saying about gorse flowers but carry on trying them through the year - although they are always bitter you do get undertones of coconut when the suns been shining on them a while! As the others here have suggested a good guide is invaluable... 'Food for Free' is a classic by richard maybe. Good luck and enjoy!