What a life! Over the course of the last few days, Jacob (a friend of mine) and I took part in a wild edible workshop near Hood River, Oregon. Our mission was simple, “Learn as much about wild edible as we can from John Kallas,” the class instructor. The operation was a success, and for the next three days we were out in the field (literally) from 6:00 AM until the sun set at 9:30 PM studying, picking, digging, preparing, and eating every type of wild edible offered in the Pacific Northwest.

While I considered myself somewhat of a wild edible expert, I was humbled by the plethora of new plants that I had yet to discover. Among some of my favorite new delicacies were: (more…)

Common Name: Miner’s Lettuce

Latin Name: Claytonia perfoliata

Description: Miner’s lettuce is an annual plant that usually pops its head out in early spring. It is light green in color, and has round, disk-like leaves, which surround its smooth, tender stem. This stem, which passes directly through the round leaf, is a key identifier of Miner’s Lettuce. After the plant has bloomed, one can observe a small white or pinkish color flower growing on top of its rounded leaves. Miner’s Lettuce ranges in height from 1 to 12 inches and may have anywhere from 1 to 25+ stems growing out of a single root.

Habitat: Miner’s Lettuce grows from Alaska down the west coast to Baja California and east to Arizona, Utah, Colorado Wyoming, and the Dakotas. It prefers cool, moist places, which means that it is most abundant in areas where there is shade. It can group up to 6,000 ft above sea level.

Food: The whole plant can be eaten raw in salads or as a trail nibble! Miner’s lettuce is very mild, tender, and most of all delicious! (more…)

Sergei says: Dandelions are one of my favorite weeds because of their widespread availability. I have traveled the world and set foot in 39 countries all of which have had at least one variety of dandelion growing vigorously. Therefore, this common plant is the perfect candidate for introducing people to wild foods.

Like all wild edibles, dandelions are extremely nutritious and beneficial for many of different health reasons. Of these, they are most acclaimed for being great organ cleaners. It turns out that the bitter taste I once detested, actually stimulates bile production, aids digestion, and cleans pretty much every inner organ inside my body.

Because dandelions are bitter to the taste, and I am not particularly found of the bitter flavor, it took me many attempts to find a way enjoy eating them. After a great deal of experimentation, I found two ways to reduce the bitterness of dandelions and make them more palatable: (more…)

Common Name: Purslane

Latin Name: Portulaca oleracea

Description: Purslane leaves are green, paddle shaped,  and have a reddish stem. The plant stem is smooth and succulent and will emit a slimy, okra-like juice when bent or broken. Hidden amidst the leaves of the plant are tiny, yellow flowers with five petals.[1]

Habitat: Purslane loves sandy soils and therefore can be found in areas such as abandoned parking lots, fields, vacant lots, and other disturbed soils across the United States.

Food: Purslane is very tasty and extremely nutritious. It has a slightly sour taste, which is pleasant for the pallet. The whole can be eaten raw! (more…)

Common Name: Stinging Nettle

Latin Name: Urtica diocia

Description: Stinging Nettle is a green plant with finely serrated, heart-shaped leaves. The small, greenish flowers that grow on the Stinging Nettle grow in clusters and droop from its leaves. The nettle can grow up to 7 feet tall and is covered with tiny stinging hairs, which give the plant its name.

Habitat: Nettles prefer cool, moist places that get limited sun exposure. Plants can be found growing in thickets near forest clearings and alongside streams and rivers. The plant can be found across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa

Food: The whole plant is edible, but it tastes best when young and under 2 feet. The plant can be eaten raw, however this can be uncomfortable as you are likely to get stung by one of its spines. The spines, which are believed to contain formic acid and histamine compounds, will irritate the skin upon contact. Traditionally, nettles have been steamed to avoid the stinging sensation, however, blending the plant destroys its needles and enables consumption in the raw form! (more…)

Common Name: Lamb’s Quarters

Latin Name: Chenopodium album

Description: Lamb’s quarter can grown up to 10 feet tall. The plant has triangular leaves that green in color.  Leaves are dusted with a waxy whitish film, which rubs off when touched. Flowers are tiny and grow in the crown of the plant.

Habitat: Lamb’s quarter thrives as a common weed in gardens, they also grow near streams, rivers, and forest clearings. Lamb’s quarter grow widespread throughout the United States.

Food: Lamb’s quarter can be eaten raw in salads, smoothies, juices,  or as a trail side nibble. Leaves resemble spinach in taste and texture. One lamb’s quarter plant can produce up to 75,000 seeds.[1] The seeds, which resemble poppy seeds, are also a viable food source. (more…)

Common Name: Clover

Latin Name: Trufolium repens

Description: Clovers have round green leaves with whitish crescent-shaped prints. Leaves grown in groups of three. Flowers range in color, have upwards of 40 petals, and cluster together creating an overall spherical shape.

Habitat: Grown in fields, near roadways, lawns, vacant lots, and sunny meadows. Clovers can be found growing all over the world.

Food: Flowers and leaves can be eaten raw. The flowers have a sweet taste and make a delicious, colorful addition to any dish. (more…)

Common Name: Plantain

Latin Name: Plantago major

Description: Plantain leaves can grow up to 1 foot in length. They can range in shape from round to lance leafed. Leaves are of solid green pigment and have very defined parallel veins running up the underside. Plantain buds and flowers grow at the top of a long narrow stem and bare slight resemblance to baby corn.

Habitat: Plantain is commonly found in sunny meadows, near roadways, lawns, waste areas, and other places where the soil has been disturbed. Varying spices of plantain grow throughout North America and Europe.

Food: Tender leaves can be used as salads greens. Buds and flowers can be marinated. [1] (more…)

Common Name: Sheep Sorrel

Latin Name: Rumex acetosella

Description: Sheep Sorrel can very from 6 inches to 2 feet in height. It has lance shaped green leaves with two lobes that are very distinguishable from other plants. Many people who identify Sheep Sorrel for their first time comment that its leaves resemble a fish or a sword. The flowers grow on the plants elongated stock and range in color from white to red.

Habitat: Sorrel like disturbed soil and is often found in empty fields, rocky meadows, and along roadways. Sheep Sorrel can be found from Alaska to California as well as throughout the continental United States.

Food Use: Leaves and flowers can be eaten raw in salads or as trail side nibble. The tender leaves are sour in taste and make a lovely addition to smoothies or salad dressings. When crushed, added to water, and mixed with natural sweetener, sorrel leaves make a mouth-watering lemon-aid substitute when lemons are not available. (more…)

Common Name: Thimbleberry

Latin Name: Rubus parviflorus

Description: Grow in shrubs ranging from 2 to 8 feet tall. Thimbleberries form dense thickets. Leaves have between 3 to 5 lobes and closely resemble maple leaves. Thimbleberries have white flowers with five petals each. The berries are red and look a lot like raspberries except that their overall shape is flatter (like a raspberry that has been compressed).

Habitat: Thickets of Thimbleberries grow in moist, wooded areas in the lower mountainous regions. They grown best in cool environment and therefore prefer shade. Thimbleberries can be found from the Alaska Panhandle all the way down to Southern California.

Food: The berries are edible and very delicious. They have a sweet and nutty taste that is both unique and fragrant. Flowers are also edible and make a delicious addition to salads. Thimbleberry leaves can be used either fresh or dried in herbal teas! (more…)

Common Name: Wild Strawberry

Latin Name: Fragaria viriniana

Description: Wild strawberries grow close to the ground in quaint patches. Each plant has one stem with three green leaves. Leaves are serrated with well-defined straight veins. Wild strawberry plants grow 2 to 8 inches in height.[1] Flowers are white and have five wide petals.

Habitat: Strawberries love  shade and can be found on mountain slopes and in forest settings. They thrive throughout North America.

Food: The red berries are delicious and can be eaten in a plethora of different ways. Strawberry greens are favorable when young. They can be used in salads or added to smoothies. (more…)