What I found in the New England grass.

I love the idea that nature and will God provide. All one needs is the knowledge to take advantage of that. Us being humans, we have the lucky advantages of being able to eat all sorts of things and not die. Even things I had never even thought of are edible (eatable?). I have to admit I never thought of foraging as a thing anyone can do in their back yard. “It’s a survival trick. People use it when they get stranded on a desert island.” I thought. “Or crazy survivalist types.” But when I moved to the east coast I met a arborist and soon we became friends. A little while later she gave me a book on foraging. “Strange,” I thought “maybe she wants to take me to a mountain and if I get lost I won’t starve. That’s nice of her…” As I went through it I noticed things that I saw in Michigan that we think of as the everyday weeds and grasses. THE BOOK SAID I COULD EAT THEM (mind blown). “I must make a foraged salad and now!!!”

“Not so bad” I thought. They tasted much like any green I had before. “Why haven’t I ever done this before??? They are weeds, that means I get two things for one!” A clean garden and a side dish for dinner. Whee! Then research. I found a youtuber from my area who was focused on foraging. 

She said I had wild sorrel in my yard. I had to go try it. It is lemony in taste. Looks a lot like clover. Since I use to be a pastry chef my mind went wild with ideas. Syrups, salads, or in pesto? I tried it in pesto first. It is great in pesto. Regular basil pesto is made up of basil olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. But the pine nuts kill me in cost each time. But what if I put in pumpkin seeds to keep the cost down? I had to try it!!! That night for dinner we had sorrel pesto a over pasta. It was so good I must share the recipe with you all.

I have noticed New England and the Mitten state have a lot in common as far as flora goes. Which is great for me because that means I know more plants. I hope this gives you the confidence to try this weed. Maybe you can put it on your salad tonight.