Comments on: Foodie book reviews and some snow business

By: Heather Wilkinson

Heather Wilkinson — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:29:36 +0000

In reply to Shaheen. It really is a gem of a book and I can't recommend it highly enough.

By: Shaheen

Shaheen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:31:47 +0000

I can’t believe that I still don;t have mabeys Food for Free on my bookshelf. Must remedy that this year.

By: Heather Wilkinson

Heather Wilkinson — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:09:23 +0000

In reply to Domestic Executive.

I can imagine that is really confusing – perhaps there’s a gap in the market for you to write your own book? Yes, the snow can be a complete nightmare but luckily we’ve now had some rain to wash it all away and, today, the sun is shining. Funny old weather!

By: Heather Wilkinson

Heather Wilkinson — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:07:11 +0000

In reply to ediblethings.net. Hi Mel, I do need to learn more about foraging mushrooms as I adore them. I want to try and read up as much as I can now so I can do a lot more foraging this year.

By: Domestic Executive

Domestic Executive — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:19:09 +0000

I have a constant seasonal confusion since moving to NZ only confounded by the fact that many of the books I have are written for northern hemisphere audiences. It can get mighty confusing using Nigel Slater’s kitchen diaries for inspiration. Snow looks idyllic but I know what it can be like after a few hours when the fun is over and the pressure mounts to get back to normal life.

By: ediblethings.net

ediblethings.net — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:33:33 +0000

Mabey's Food for Free is essential for any hedgerow foragager. I would also recommend that you get a good and separate field guide for mushrooms if you decide to go for them too, one which helps you to see the (sometimes small) differences between delicious types and deadly ones.
If in doubt, stick to a few species you are certain of. Once you have found a spot, you can return time and again!
Something else to remember is that you could still have allergies, so only try a small amount the first time you go for a foraged food.
All that said though, it is the best way to pass a few hours that I can think of, and once you get going, you will develop an eye for the plants and loads of possibilities will open up for you. As long as the food isn't buried under the snow, of course!