Table Of ContentTHE
FORAGER’S HARVEST
Samuel Thayer
A Guide to Identifying,
Harvesting, and Preparing
EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
Forager’s
fq Harvest
aD
Copyright © 2006 Samuel Thayer.
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage
and retrieval system, withonit permission in writing from the author. The only
exception is the Foraging Calendar on pages 76 and 77, which may be photocopied,
enlarged, or otherwise altered and reproduced for private use, but not for sale or
distribution.
Publisher's Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Thayer, Samucl.
‘The forager’s harvest : a guide to identifying, harvesting, and preparing edible wild
plants / Samuel T
p.cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
LCCN 205911400
ISBN- 13: 978-0-9766266-0-2
ISBN-10: 0-9766266-0-8
1. Wild plants, Fdible-- Handbooks, manuals, etc. 1. Tire, fH. Title: Guide to
identifying, harvesting, and preparing edible wild plants.
QK98.5.A1T43 2006 581.632 QBI06-600299
Book Design by Fiona Raven
Photographs and artwork by Samuel Thayer, except as otherwise credited.
Second Printing September 2006
Printed in India
Forager’s
Harvest
v
Published by
Forager’s Harvest
W506 State Hwy 86
Ogema, W1 54459
wonweforagersharvest.com
To Josh,
‘Not only the best friend that I have,
bur the hese friend anybody has.
Acknowledgements
used to read the acknowledgements in my favorite books and wonder how a
jingle author could become so indebted to so many people in the production
of one little volume. Now T understand. Without the encouragement, ideas,
and occasional pestering of my friends over the last decade, I might have never
finished this book. 1 would like to thank all of those who patiently believed
With fond memories | extend my graticude to the many foraging com
panions who got wet, muddy, cold, sweaty; and bug-bitten along with me
cars, all for the thrill of eating the best food on Earth. OF these, 1
am particularly indebted co Mike Krause, Mark Pollock, Jor Fucalone, Jon
Wheeler, and Laurie Miskimins
Towea huge thanks to Tammy Springer, who gave me the camera that took
most of the photos decorating these pages, and Jamie Springer, who repeatedly
endured sunburn, spiders, and tice worms so that I could “get my hundred
pounds.” Were it not for Edelene Wood, who convinced me to try teaching
about wild foods, I may have never taken this path. Clayton Oslund and Bill
Blackmon gladly provided advice and photographs, without which the book
would be poorer. Sjana Schanning let me type early drafts on her computer,
and [have not forgotten the favor. And seme years age, Tam Elpel generously
extended an unsolicited yee valuable boost to my efforts.
During the extended process of writing this book, a few people have given
yurs of support and help on all fronts: Glenn Schmukler, Abe Lloyd,
Cindy Sakry, and Josh Morey. I can't thank you enough. For cechnical advice
and editing, much credit is due to Mike Krebill. And even though I paid her,
my book designer Fiona Raven deserves mention for holding the hand of a
cautious, first-time publisher.
I would also like to thank the authors who came before me, sharing their
passion and knowledge. And of course, I appreciate the plants that have sus-
tained my life. For thers Tam endlessly grateful; by then Tam endlessly awed.
Last and first, I would like to thank God, who made all of this possible.
IfT have failed to mention anybody, it is only because I'm afraid you'll want
a free copy. God, you can have twa free capies, but T need your address.
over the
i
Contents
Introduction... 0. .6.0e.seseceee eee eeeee neers 1
‘The Meaning of Wild Food. . .. 2
The Purpose and Organization of this Book .........6.++ 3
The History of Foraging and Wild Food Literature 9
Getting Started With Edible Wild Plants
Why Forage?. ..
Conservation .
Where to Forage...
Cooking With Wild Food.
Plant Identification and Foraging Safety
Harvest and Preparation Methods for Wild Plant Foods
.--40
42
3
48
Shoots and Stalks
Underground Vegetables. . .
Fruits and Berries
Seeds and Grains. 52
Nitizadus nes ee eeeeeern 56
Storing Wild Foods
Freezing ..... a beeen eee 59
Canning gecesi aunesnnmncetl eee 60
Drying ..... 66
Cold storage... 2.70
Timing the Wild Harvest
Galendat" cagiceiays yengeumieone . nse
Plant Accounts
Ostichy Betis exdhsvicnenrsosneene 78
Cattail ee ee 87
Wapato, Arrowhead . deadlier eakpeteastrs 101
WIGIRICE niciensieanarsorai . Le 117
13
59
73
Wild Leck, Ramp
Smilax, Carrion Flower.
Butternut
Siberian Elm. .
Stinging Newle
Wood Nettle. .
Sheep Sorrel
Goosefoot, Lamb's
Spring Beauty
Quarters .
Marsh Marigold, Cowslip. . .
Swamp Saxifrage.......
Serviceberry, Juneberry, Saskatoon .
Chokecherty. 06. 0.0000065
Pin Cherry... 2. .
Ground Bean, Hog ean
Hopniss, Groundnut
Black Locust.
Wild Grape.
Basswood, Linden. .
Evening Primrose
Parsnip...
Common Milkweed .
Virginia Waterleal. ....
Nannyberry, Wild Raisin, Black Hew,
Highbush Cranberry.
Burdock
Thistle. .
References and Recommended Reading ..........00++ 342
Bibliography. .
Glossary -
Index ....
vil
Excited about foraging? |
Please send correspondence detailing your
comments, discoveries, and experiences.
For information on wild food workshops,
publications, services, events, and products,
goto: vowwforagersharvest.com
orcomtact: Forager’s Harvest
W506 State Hwy 86
Ogema, WI, 54459
715-767-5826
Introduction
summer day when I was four years old I sported my older brother and
On crouched under the front porch of our house. T ducked under the
-cights to join them, eager to share in whatever excitement had brought
them there. When I got closer I found the exo af them staring in admiration
at a dump of small and delicate clover-like plants thriving there by grace of the
irway. My sister plucked
an entice plant and held it out briefly for me to sce, whispering the word
“juicies” almost as if the term were forbidden. She proceeded to eat it, stem
and all, and my brother did the same with one of the plants in front of him. I
followed their example and was much impressed with the lemon-like Aavor.
My older siblings do nor recall how they learned to eat “juicies,” but they
sunlight that shone through the gaps in the wooden
were regular fare for the rest of our childhood. It wastit until six years later that
I discovered the plant’ real name. Even though my mother had sternly warned
me that weeds were poisonous, I was cating a dozen different kinds by that
time, I did so in secret, survived, and liked ie.
‘When Twas ten years old I discovered that there were books about wild ed-
ible plants. This opened up a whole new world to me. I started bringing home
netiles and other common weeds to cook. Ac first this threw my parents into a
panic, bur by the time I was fourteen they had learned co accept my identifica-
tions without worry. I collected and ate wild foods every chance I got. My
bedroom became cluttered with buckets of hickory nuts and acorns. Drying
herbs adorned my dresser. The refrigerator contained things that nobody else
would dare to touch, and unfamiliar smells wafted from the kitchen.
Silly dreams, of living off the land somewhere far from the city, began to
form in my adolescent mind. My best friend and 1 went on camping trips
where we would bring little or no food, forcing ourselves to forage. Wed re-
turn very hungry; bur alive, and always with some new knowledge. The more
Learned, the less silly my dream felt. My parents; teachers, and school coun-
selors would have none of it — but I was determined. I kept reading, cooking,
experimenting, and planning
Today hunting and gathering is a way of life for me. Wild grains, teas, nuts,
fruit juices, berries, flours, and vegetables are stored away for the seasons. And
every day; at almost every meal, I cat something that was 2 gift of unbroken
land. In a simple cabin at the edge of the woods along a dead-end country
road, Lam exactly where I always wanted to be
The Meaning of Wild Food
omething about finding a wild plant and eating it appeals to everybody.
Even those people who scem totally disinterested in Nature will have half
a dozen questions for anybody they sce pulling up a rank weed and sticking
it in his mouth. This interest is more than just curious disapproval; it is 2
manifestation of a deeper inkling within us. Foraging is the oldest occupation
of humankind. For most of our history we knew no other way of living. We are
built, both mentally and physically, to be hunters and gatherers. Somewhere
inside of us we ate all foragers, no matter how much we have lost euch with
that aspect of our nature.
Today, if cur off from purchased supplies, most of us would starve in
the midst of plenty. Many people are shocked when I assert that one could
subsist on nothing but food obtained from the wild. I find this amusing,
ce for most of human history there was no other food. Of course, I do not
expect the readers of this book to go out and become full-time foragers, but
anybody can conveniently and beneficially add wild foods to his or her diet
as components of delicious, nourishing, and varied meals. This book can be
your doorway.
One of the greatest benefits of cating wild food is thatit reminds us that we
ate fed not by the supermarket, but by the sunshine, rain, and soil. As a saciery
we are coming to believe the fallacy that people make food. Drawing even a
small part of our sustenance directly from the Ferth helps keep us in touch
with the sobering reality that, despite our advanced technology, we cannot
manufacture our most basic needs.
For many years we have been hearing of the need for greater environmental
awareness. Nothing else can build such awareness as surcly and powerfully as
practicing the ancient ecological art of humankind — foraging. Ic is not obser
of, but rather participation in the phenomena of Nature that brings us
to our greatest understanding of our place in the mosaic of life
Some people contend that hunting and gathering have no place in this
modern technological age. IF we seek most of all to lead healthy, peaceful, and
fulfilling lives, and to leave those same opportunities for those who come after
us, then foraging is as apprapriare taday as ever. Gathering and cating from
God's garden is our direct connection to the world that he made. Like love
and beauty, no progress of science can make it obsolete.
vati
