Food Foraging 2023

[Stephen Pickles]

The brambles in the western isles and central belt have been amazing this year. We picked almost too many amazing sweet, plump ripe brambles in Ulva in September, then came home to find the bushes laden at home. When they are this abundant we just freeze lots.

 

[jonathan points]

Amazing in north Cambridgeshire this year but obviously earlier than where you are Steve. I froze kilos of them and they do well though of course when thawed they lose a fair bit of juice. Still fine for blackberry and apple crumble!

I love David’s suggestion of pickling them. Can imagine they’d be excellent with game - and as I’m expecting a delivery today from a hunter friend of either Chamois or venison I wish I’d got some!

 

[Dawn Bliss]

Amazing in north Cambridgeshire this year but obviously earlier than where you are Steve. I froze kilos of them and they do well though of course when thawed they lose a fair bit of juice. Still fine for blackberry and apple crumble!

I love David’s suggestion of pickling them. Can imagine they’d be excellent with game - and as I’m expecting a delivery today from a hunter friend of either Chamois or venison I wish I’d got some!

I made bramble and apple jelly, which is also lovely with game (and on toast!)

 

[Andrew Bajorek]

Sloes pretty decent around here, thought I had missed them like I did the blackberries, but plenty about if you're careful...

 

[Eric Burch]

An oddly successful haul this afternoon, in the context of only a brief walk and a generally sparse woodland. A lot of unpictured specimens, including some large ones, that aren't in such a good state but will still be good for cooking with.

 

[Mark Palmer]

Lived here for four years or so now. These have popped up in the last 48 hours or so. Never seen them before.

Any ideas?

 

[Andy Leslie]

Sulphur tufts?

 

[Gareth Germain]

Yikes! Definitely don’t eat them then!

 

[Mark Palmer]

Yikes! Definitely don’t eat them then!

Wasn’t really in my plans! Just curious…

 

[Mark Palmer]

Sulphur tufts?

A bit of research and that seems correct. Not surprised that it’s munching on the “railway sleepers” as I’m guessing the rot treatment would be fading after a few years. A bit concerned that it’s having a go at the very live Cotinus.

 

[Richard Zambuni]

Meanwhile elsewhere in SW London I found these beauties today. Lovely fresh barely opened horse mushrooms. I’m cooking them as I type.

 

[Richard Zambuni]

I’ve just hit the jackpot with a 2.5kg hen of the woods found locally in London. It’s fresh too.

 

[jonathan points]

I’ve just hit the jackpot with a 2.5kg hen of the woods found locally in London. It’s fresh too.View attachment 34658

Wow!!!!!

 

[Stephen Pickles]

Where is the jealous emoji!! That is some haul Richard. Well done.

 

[Richard Zambuni]

Where is the jealous emoji!! That is some haul Richard. Well done.

I was out of the country for most of the UK mushroom season this year, but strangely I managed to find three mushrooms in the last two weeks just locally; some horse mushrooms, a small chicken of the woods and the monster above. Now I definitely don't feel cheated.

Here they are cooking...

 

[Andy Leslie]

Looks amazing Richard, very envious. I’ve never seen Hen in the wild.

I guess it’s a species that has become cultivatable, given its prevalence on restaurant menus?

 

[Richard Zambuni]

I guess it’s a species that has become cultivatable, given its prevalence on restaurant menus?

That's right Andy - now cultivatable. Finding it yesterday was a first for me.

 

[Alex Lake]

ISTR seeing one in Clissold Park last year. I may even have taken a picture.

Actually I totally misremembered - it was a Dryad's Saddle (and it was earlier this year!).

 

[Bill Marks]

Are these edible

 

[Alex Lake]

Ah, so that's how the fairies keep their feet clean!

 

[Alex Lake]

My fungi expert says…

 

[Bill Marks]

My fungi expert says…

View attachment 35169

Thanks