Hogweed

[Mark82]

Been out walking over the weekend and came accross loads of hogweed, with the small central shoots in perfect eating condition.
Find the centre of the rosette of large leaves and there will likely be a couple of fresh, young, curled up leaf shoots sticking up. These are wonderful briefly sauted or steamed - as you would asparagus - and they do not taste dissimilar; slightly nuttier. The texture is even better if you cook em within a couple of hours of cutting them.
Mmmmmm....

 

[Harvestman]

Good reminder. I mean to try that this year. Thanks.

Just make sure it isn't giant hogweed though. Not edible at all :yikes:

 

[Germander]

I was reading a New Scientist article about Signal Crayfish and the menu included Hogweed. Well I never! I thought I'd check out this site and sure enough, you guys were already tucking in to the stuff.

Is it now too late in the year to harvest?

 

[bushcraftbob]

I thought i came across some hogweed tonight while down the river, it was quite bushy and well over a foot tall so would this be the giant variety??

 

[locum76]

I thought i came across some hogweed tonight while down the river, it was quite bushy and well over a foot tall so would this be the giant variety??

You'd best give us a photo for that one.

 

[Barn Owl]

You'd best give us a photo for that one.

Definately..

Get the sap on you and it can cause probs' for years, bit like creosote, I know from experience.
Mates did the sap thing, I did the creosote thing much the same probs.

 

[Harvestman]

Ordinary hogweed can grow to 6 feet or so in a year. Giant hogweed can grow to 30 feet (!). As a guide, giant hogweed smells foul, and has spikier looking leaves. Loads of it near the river Usk near me, and it is quite spectacular.

Definitely a good idea to post a photo if you are unsure though. Giant hogweed bites!