Sergei Boutenko.com

YUMMMMMMMERS! If you haven’t tried this one you’re in for a treat! Wild sweet pea is incredibly delicious with a flavor that is reminiscent of pea sprouts. This plant is great in salads, Asian dishes, soups, stir-fries, or just as an exotic garnish. One might think that because this wild edible is related to store-bought peas it would be natural to harvest the pea pods, but this is not so! Wild sweet pea pods are tough to chew and quite are bland tasting. Instead of eating the pods, try devouring a few curly tips (called tendrils) or a couple brilliantly pink flowers. You’ll be hooked in no time! Watch the following video for identification tips:

Over the years wild sweet pea has received a bad rap in the press. The worst blow to its image came from the story Into The Wild, which depicts a young man  (Christopher McCandless) dying after ingesting a wild-crafted pea variety. If you’re interested to read a summary of what supposedly happened you can google: “Into The Wild” and read all about it. However, be careful what you choose to believe as there is a lot of false information out there. Since McCandless’s death, various wild pea varieties have been studied extensively and it has been concluded that none of them are poisonous. In his book, Nature’s Garden, Samuel Thayer does a fantastic job summarizing the true events that lead to McCandless’s demise. I highly recommend this book and think that all serious foragers should have it in their library. Thayer states that the official coroner’s report on McCandless states that the young man was not poisoned, but died of starvation. Unfortunately, the media (authors, news reporters, movie producers, and the like) decided that that wasn’t a good enough story and blamed it on an innocent pea plant.

I have have questioned the edibility of wild peas over the years and have come to conclude that they are harmless. I have eaten them hundreds of  times without any ill effect and will continue eating them again and again. By mentioning Into The Wild I am not trying to scare you, just prepare you. When you start consuming wild edibles on a regular basis, the people close to you will begin to worry about your well being and bring up “the case of the guy in Into The Wild.” I think it’s a good idea to read several different account of this event and decide for yourself where you stand on the matter!

For more info on foraging download my wild edible iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wild-edibles/id430951647?ls=1&mt=8

No iPhone? No problem! Use the web app version for free: http://sergeiboutenko.com/wildediblesapp/ (works on android phones)

Wild mustard is another common weed that’s deserves some recognition… According to author and fellow forager, John Kallas, wild mustard greens are one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet! These dark leafies are jam-packed-full of beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, zinc, and vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. They also have an exciting, spicy taste that works wonders in Asian cuisine. Have a peek at the following video. It will help you spot wild mustard!

The mustard family is a HUGE family representing nearly 2,000 edible plants. Wild edibles, such as, pennycress, and shepherd’s purse, are common varieties of the brassicaceae / mustard family. Common foods such as, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, radish, and arugula are also members of the mustard family. Like kale, wild mustard is very hardy and can be found growing in near freezing temperatures. If you live in a cold, northern environment like I do, it can be very helpful to familiarize yourself with plants that thrive 9-10 months out of the year! The following recipe is from my upcoming book: “Wild Edibles: A Practical Guide to Foraging, with East Identification of 60 Edible Plants, and 67 Recipes.” Look for it in store in May of 2013!

Sautéed Wild Greens  (Asian style)

3-5 cups of your favorite wild greens such as, chicory leaves, wild mustard, shepherd’s purse, or lamb’s quarters.

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

1/4 fresh spicy pepper, finely chopped

small piece of fresh ginger, finely chopped

soy sauce to taste

Cook in a pot of boiling salted water until tender. Drain well. In separate pan heat oil over medium heat until it shimmers. Cook garlic, spicy pepper, and ginger for about 2 minutes or until golden. Stir as necessary. Stir occasionally until most of the liquid has evaporated, (3 to 5 minutes). Stir in desired amount of salt and/or soy sauce. Mix in bean sprouts for added texture (optional).

Serve with a fresh green salad or add to a wrap.

Serves 4-5

For more info on foraging download my wild edible iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wild-edibles/id430951647?ls=1&mt=8

No iPhone? No problem! Use the web app version for free: http://sergeiboutenko.com/wildediblesapp/ (works on android phones)

It’s fall, which means it’s elderberry season! There are many videos on the Internet about elderberries, but few that mention that you should be cautious when eating these fruits. Because of this, I decided to make my own video to set the record straight. Most wild food experts agree that elderberries are edible. However, it is commonly known that elderberries contain trace amounts of cyanide.  Cyanide, if ingested in large amounts, can lead to unpleasant side effects, such as stomachache, and vomiting. Blue elderberries (which I discuss in depth in my video) contain much less cyanide and are thus more suitable for consumption. Check out my new video before you go harvest elderberries:

Why on earth would you want to eat berries with cyanide?  Well, elderberries are very nutritious. They are extremely high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and are a great pick-me-up during the cold winter months when store-bought food is expensive and not as fresh.  The fact that they are slightly toxic is not unique… Most foods, if eaten with reckless abandon will cause some unpleasant symptoms. For example, apples, cherries, peaches, and almonds also contain trace amounts of cyanide. But since we eat these foods in manageable amounts, and we have a liver and kidneys to help us eliminate toxins from our body, most of us will feel no ill effect from eating these foods form time to time.

(Click on chart to visit USDA website)

(Elderberries develop a white dust when ripe)

I have eaten elderberries many times and felt great. It is only when I decided to use them as a staple ingredients in my smoothies that I experienced my first stomachache followed by an urge to throw up. Since then, I have learned my lesson and only eat a little bit at a time. I have come to classify elderberries not as “edible,” but as “MEDICINAL” for myself and eat them very sparingly. If you decide to experiment with this particular wild edible, I recommend that you do it slowly and patiently!

For more info on foraging download my wild edible iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wild-edibles/id430951647?ls=1&mt=8

No iPhone? No problem! Use the web app version for free: http://sergeiboutenko.com/wildediblesapp/ (works on android phones)

Stinging nettles may have a scary name, but if you know how to properly process the plant, you’ll never have to fear discomfort! Boiling, blending, or juicing nettles completely destroys the stingers and neutralizes the bite. There is some controversy over why this occurs. Some say, the stinging stops when nettle spines are crushed during processing. Others claim that nettles juice is responsible for neutralizing and counteracting the sting. Regardless of what you believe, nettles won’t hurt you if you prepare it correctly.

For those who have not had much experience with stinging nettles… Nettles are covered with brittle, hollow hairs that break off when you brushes against them. These hairs are filled with a mixture of three chemicals; a histamine which irritates the skin and causes a rash to break out, acetylcholine which causes a burning sensation, and serotonin, which enhances the effect of the two chemicals. As scary as this may sound, it is harmless! In fact, many cultures around the world use stinging nettles to increase oxygen and blood flow to certain areas of the body. For example, in Russia, the elderly are sometimes prescribed stinging nettles as a remedy for arthritis.

The best and easiest way to utilize nettles is in the form of a green smoothie.  To do this all you need to do is cut stinging nettle leaves into your blender container, add fruit, and blend. Another great way to eat nettles is to make a pesto out of it (recipe below). Steamed or sautéed nettle greens also make a great addition to Asian cuisine.

Stinging Nettle Pesto

1 bunch freshly harvested stinging nettles (as big or as little as you like)
1 cup pine nuts
½ cup sundried tomatoes
4-5 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt (or salt to taste)
Blend all ingredients in food processor until thoroughly mixed. Serve with crackers, beads, and veggies.
FOR THE BRAVE:

If you feel adventurous, you can try eating nettles in its raw form. If you roll up the leaf in a tight roll, you will flatten all the spines and be able to eat it with getting stung.

Roll leaf from the side where it connects to the stem toward the pointy tip.

 Roll up the entire bottom of the leaf (that’s the side the spikes are on).

When it’s fully rolled, it’s safe to eat!

For more info on foraging download my wild edible iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wild-edibles/id430951647?ls=1&mt=8

No iPhone? No problem! Use the web app version for free: http://sergeiboutenko.com/wildediblesapp/ (works on android phones)

Yummy, yummy Salsify, oh how I love thee! If you’re craving a sweet, delicious, exotic-looking treat, you’ve come to the right place. Salsify looks almost alien with its long, green sepals and multicolored petals. At first glance it’s normal to doubt if this is something you’d wanna eat… However, all who brave this mysterious flower become instant connoisseurs. Salsify is the only sweet, non-bitter dandelion relative. This means that it’s not only scrumptious, but extremely nutritious. This combination of taste and function make this plant an all time favorite of mine! Check out my video for some simple ID tips:

For more info on foraging download my wild edible iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wild-edibles/id430951647?ls=1&mt=8

No iPhone? No problem! Use the web app version for free: http://sergeiboutenko.com/wildediblesapp/ (works on android phones)

Plantain is a fantastic plant that has many healing properties. It is most renowned for its ability to draw toxins out of the skin, neutralize pain, and reduce swelling. All you have to do top reap the benefits of plantain is chew up a leaf and apply it topically like a poultice. This works great for cuts, scratches, and bug bites! If you’re allergic to bee stings, knowing about this edible may one day come in handy. While filming my wild edible videos, I encounter bee stings regularly. Each time I’m stung, I drop what I’m doing and go on a search for plantain. I chew up the greens, apply the green mixture to my wound and within minutes I am swelling and pain free. It works like a charm every time. Plantain is also very edible. Watch the video below to learn more:

For more info on foraging download my wild edible iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wild-edibles/id430951647?ls=1&mt=8

No iPhone? No problem! Use the web app version for free: http://sergeiboutenko.com/wildediblesapp/ (works on android phones)

Believe it of not, you can still find miners lettuce growing this late in the summer. And if you succeed, I think you’ll agree that its finger-licking GOOD! Scope out your local shady areas for miners lettuce and then add it to your next salad or green smoothie. Here is how to identify it:

If you’re a die hard wild edible forager like me, you might be interested to know that my new online wild edible course starts on September 16th! This course is intensive and is the perfect place to start if you are relatively new to foraging. After this 17 week experience (that you can engage in from the comfort of your home and on your own time) you should feel totally comfortable and safe harvesting free food from your surroundings. Best of all, the course addresses wild edibles that are common to most regions of the world. So whether you are in Australia or Canada, you will find this information helpful!

Wild edible course:  http://goo.gl/MbQSQ  Book now and save $100!

For more info on foraging download my wild edible iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wild-edibles/id430951647?ls=1&mt=8

No iPhone? No problem! Use the web app version for free: http://sergeiboutenko.com/wildediblesapp/ (works on android phones)

Dear Blog readers,

I am looking to acquire a roof top camper for my car. I spend many of days outdoors photographing and filming edible plants each year. Having a home on top of my car would allow me to greatly increase the number of days out in the field and thus allow me to create more educational videos for YouTube as well as my site. Unfortunately, such toys cost around $2,500 which not in my budget at the moment. That’s why I’m getting creative… If you have a roof top camper that is similar to a Maggiolina that you never use, why not sell or donate it to me? It does not have to be brand spanking new. In fact, if it’s needs repairs, I am happy to take on such a project this fall. Such a camper would go to a good cause and indirectly help thousands of people. If you have a proposition for me, please drop me an email. More wild edible videos coming soon…