When you put food on a plate to serve to yourself and your family, you probably got those vegetables at a farmer's market or grocery store. Perhaps you grew some or maybe all of them in your backyard, if you like gardening. Though these are by far the most popular ways to source food, there is a growing forage California movement that gives you an alternative way to put food on the table.
No matter where you live, there is likely an abundance of food available nearby in a wooded area. A short drive can take you to a forest or open field where things like greens or mushrooms grow wild. These and any other foods you find can be used by everyone from meat eaters to vegans to provide a healthy meal that tastes great and didn't cost a dime to get.
There is also a growing part of this movement that focuses on what is called urban foraging. This means going to public spaces and abandoned lots to find food. Lots of areas within city limits, even bigger cities, have trees, bushes and vines that have been all but abandoned yet still thrive due to rainfall. Things like citrus fruits, figs, herbs and other produce can easily be found in some places.
Beyond just urban and wooded areas, waterfronts are also a potential source of free food. You can go fishing, or if you are experienced and more adventurous, go looking for things like scallops and even abalone in bay areas where they tend to live. Never try this without experience or at least a guide who can help you so you know what to do, and it gets done safely.
If you just drive to the nearest forest and try to find edibles without knowing what you are looking for, you could end up in trouble. Not every wild plant you find will be tasty. In some cases, not only do they taste bad, but they may even be dangerous if ingested. It is good to go out on your first trip armed with knowledge, so consider taking a class that many local foragers offer in order to not only grow the movement, but to keep people safe from potentially harmful plants.
Besides classes, some places offer guided tours. There are even weekend expeditions to not only find wild food, but learn to clean and cook it as well. In fact, in some California cities, there are shared kitchens and even cooking classes available that focus on foraged ingredients.
There are even some restaurants that are opening that have a menu based either entirely or at least partly on whatever wild foods happen to be in season. Some of these are permanent locations that are open five to seven days per week, while others are pop up restaurants that are only available for a short time before they close shop.
Enjoy yourself as you try this new way to eat, but keep a few things in mind. Be considerate of others by only taking what you need, that way others get to take some home, too. Local laws have had to be passed in some places due to stripping of wild plants. Avoid this so that you and everyone else can have a good time.
No matter where you live, there is likely an abundance of food available nearby in a wooded area. A short drive can take you to a forest or open field where things like greens or mushrooms grow wild. These and any other foods you find can be used by everyone from meat eaters to vegans to provide a healthy meal that tastes great and didn't cost a dime to get.
There is also a growing part of this movement that focuses on what is called urban foraging. This means going to public spaces and abandoned lots to find food. Lots of areas within city limits, even bigger cities, have trees, bushes and vines that have been all but abandoned yet still thrive due to rainfall. Things like citrus fruits, figs, herbs and other produce can easily be found in some places.
Beyond just urban and wooded areas, waterfronts are also a potential source of free food. You can go fishing, or if you are experienced and more adventurous, go looking for things like scallops and even abalone in bay areas where they tend to live. Never try this without experience or at least a guide who can help you so you know what to do, and it gets done safely.
If you just drive to the nearest forest and try to find edibles without knowing what you are looking for, you could end up in trouble. Not every wild plant you find will be tasty. In some cases, not only do they taste bad, but they may even be dangerous if ingested. It is good to go out on your first trip armed with knowledge, so consider taking a class that many local foragers offer in order to not only grow the movement, but to keep people safe from potentially harmful plants.
Besides classes, some places offer guided tours. There are even weekend expeditions to not only find wild food, but learn to clean and cook it as well. In fact, in some California cities, there are shared kitchens and even cooking classes available that focus on foraged ingredients.
There are even some restaurants that are opening that have a menu based either entirely or at least partly on whatever wild foods happen to be in season. Some of these are permanent locations that are open five to seven days per week, while others are pop up restaurants that are only available for a short time before they close shop.
Enjoy yourself as you try this new way to eat, but keep a few things in mind. Be considerate of others by only taking what you need, that way others get to take some home, too. Local laws have had to be passed in some places due to stripping of wild plants. Avoid this so that you and everyone else can have a good time.
About the Author:
To preserve and restore native grasses, consider learning more about forage California. Here is the blog that explains more on this topic at http://livingwild.org.
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