When you put food on a plate to serve to yourself and your family, you probably got those vegetables at a farmer's market or grocery store. Perhaps you grew some or maybe all of them in your backyard, if you like gardening. Though these are by far the most popular ways to source food, there is a growing forage California movement that gives you an alternative way to put food on the table.
When it comes to this movement, wild foraging is definitely the most popular. This means that individuals or small groups go into local woods or even desserts, depending on the area they live in, and look for food. Mushrooms are a main attraction, as they can be used by vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike to make delicious meals that are also healthy.
Thankfully, those without transportation or who just don't have time to drive out into the woods are not out of luck. Urban foraging is a growing branch of this movement that requires you only to walk around your neighborhood or city to find goodies to eat. Look for places that are abandoned or open spaces with bushes and vines and perhaps trees that are bearing fruit. Pick, wash an serve for your next meal.
California is home to a very long coastline, and this close proximity to the water makes it easy to forage for proteins that other areas just can't provide. Some people love to get a pole and fish, but many foragers prefer diving to get bay scallops or even the delicacy abalone to give themselves a delicious and nutritious treat. Just make sure you take an experienced guide with you if you've never done this before.
Speaking of experience, many places where the forager movement is growing are now offering classes to learn about how to take part. For the inexperienced, this is a good idea, especially since not everything found in nature is edible or good for you. For example, some varieties of mushrooms are not only inedible, but potentially poisonous to humans. Other things like poison oak can cause a lot of discomfort, so it's important to know what you are doing.
Another alternative to classes is a guided tour. Think of this as learning on the job. You get to pick things to eat later while ensuring that they are not only edible, but delicious as well. You will learn how to avoid things that are dangerous and only get the best of the best.
There are even some restaurants that are opening that have a menu based either entirely or at least partly on whatever wild foods happen to be in season. Some of these are permanent locations that are open five to seven days per week, while others are pop up restaurants that are only available for a short time before they close shop.
Before you embark on your new culinary adventure, be sure that you are doing so in a responsible manner. Do not overstrip areas or harvest more than you need, as people doing this has lead to rules and regulations in some areas. This is a fun and bountiful pursuit if you are responsible and know what to look for.
When it comes to this movement, wild foraging is definitely the most popular. This means that individuals or small groups go into local woods or even desserts, depending on the area they live in, and look for food. Mushrooms are a main attraction, as they can be used by vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike to make delicious meals that are also healthy.
Thankfully, those without transportation or who just don't have time to drive out into the woods are not out of luck. Urban foraging is a growing branch of this movement that requires you only to walk around your neighborhood or city to find goodies to eat. Look for places that are abandoned or open spaces with bushes and vines and perhaps trees that are bearing fruit. Pick, wash an serve for your next meal.
California is home to a very long coastline, and this close proximity to the water makes it easy to forage for proteins that other areas just can't provide. Some people love to get a pole and fish, but many foragers prefer diving to get bay scallops or even the delicacy abalone to give themselves a delicious and nutritious treat. Just make sure you take an experienced guide with you if you've never done this before.
Speaking of experience, many places where the forager movement is growing are now offering classes to learn about how to take part. For the inexperienced, this is a good idea, especially since not everything found in nature is edible or good for you. For example, some varieties of mushrooms are not only inedible, but potentially poisonous to humans. Other things like poison oak can cause a lot of discomfort, so it's important to know what you are doing.
Another alternative to classes is a guided tour. Think of this as learning on the job. You get to pick things to eat later while ensuring that they are not only edible, but delicious as well. You will learn how to avoid things that are dangerous and only get the best of the best.
There are even some restaurants that are opening that have a menu based either entirely or at least partly on whatever wild foods happen to be in season. Some of these are permanent locations that are open five to seven days per week, while others are pop up restaurants that are only available for a short time before they close shop.
Before you embark on your new culinary adventure, be sure that you are doing so in a responsible manner. Do not overstrip areas or harvest more than you need, as people doing this has lead to rules and regulations in some areas. This is a fun and bountiful pursuit if you are responsible and know what to look for.
About the Author:
To preserve and restore native grasses, consider learning more about forage California. Here is the blog that explains more on this topic at http://livingwild.org.
