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Friday 20 March 2015

Foraging And Cooking Wild Foods Of California

By Lelia Hall


A person should always exercise caution when foraging and consuming plants found growing in nature. Making a mistake about the identity of such an item could prove to be toxic and even deadly. Therefore, any time that an individual is in doubt about a plant, consulting an expert before consuming it is advisable. Knowing how to find edible plants in any area is a great survival tool, and there are plenty of wild foods of California worth considering. Preparing recipes made from such plants can be a rewarding activity.

The state is home to a broad array of edible plants. Carob trees produce pods that are delightfully sweet, and these trees grow abundantly in certain areas. The pods can be made into a finely ground powder after they have been dried and then roasted. This powder is often used to sweeten smoothies, baked goods, and hot drinks.

Another plant found growing untamed in the state is fennel. The flowers of the fennel plant become seeds eventually. The seeds may be added to various dishes, and they have a light, sweet flavor that tastes like licorice. Soups, stews, and salads of many varieties may be given a new flavor with the addition of fennel seeds.

Another example of an edible, untamed plant in the region is mallow. This is a leaf that is soft and flavorful. The leaves can be used in salads, and they may also be fried, in the same way that a person would cook spinach or collard greens in a pan. Another way to cook them is by steaming them, and steaming may be a great way to preserve the natural flavor of the leaves.

Prickly pear cactus also grows untamed in the region. It may be found in a variety of neighborhoods. The pads and the fruit of this cactus may be removed from it without damaging the remainder of the plant. The fruit of the prickly pear cactus is sweet, and it makes a perfect ingredient for fruit salad. The pads of the plant are versatile, and they can be pickled, boiled, or fried. Before eating the pads or the fruit, a person must first remove the skin and the spines.

This geographical area is also a place to forage for olives. Olives were originally taken from Mediterranean areas by missionaries, and they were then transplanted in the state. Olives are quite bitter in taste after they are picked from the tree, and they must be cured before they can be eaten with any enjoyment. After olives are cured, they can be eaten by themselves or added to sauces, soups, salads, or pasta recipes.

Radishes are also seen growing naturally in the state. The untamed kind of radish is similar in taste to the domesticated kind sold in grocery stores. People can eat the flowers, stems, leaves, and roots of this plant, making it a versatile choice. The pods are delicious when pickled in vinegar.

When prepared properly, many of the plants that grow in nature can be delicious. People should never consume untamed plants until they are certain of their identities. Foraged plants are eaten by millions of people across the world.




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