Wild food is nutritious

I recently wrote about Foraging for Nature's Bounty as I increase my efforts this year to learn more about different wild foods and fungi to add to my current list of sesonal favourites. I love to try different recipes and storing methods so that I can make the most of any wild food I find and bring home through the seasons.

It's good to note that wild food found in natural environments (far away from fields sprayed with pesticides, etc) are being recognised as some of the most nutritious and nourishing of plants, fruits, berries, herbs, fungi, flowers, leaves and other edibles. They haven’t been saught after by chefs and restauranteurs over the years without reason.

Wild foods are the perfect companion to compliment and enhance nutrients found in organically grown food. They also provide vital minerals, trace elements and beneficial micro-organisms when found in good soil in a clean, undisturbed environment.

The fact is that the best quality foraged food grows naturally on ancient ground or where there is rich soil. Natural vitimins, minerals, micro-organisms and other trace elements are drawn up into the plant, and it’s these trace nutrients that help to keep our mind and body cleansed, nourished and healthy.

All live organic foods provide maximum benefits when prepared and eaten as close to their natural state as possible. It's fun to discover recipes in cookbooks (some of my faviourites are listed below) and I love the recipes provided by *Riverford Farm for ideas on all sorts of wild food and organic produce delivered through the season.

[*An affiliate link for anyone living in the British Isles with £15 off your first order and the same for me!]

Wild food is worth it

How we collect, wash, prepare and cook natural food is a skill that can be learned step by step. The first time your Nettle Soup tastes delicious (it can take practice) is priceless because it feels great! You know how much you have put into it, the goodness it will provide and how enjoyable it has been to bring the perfect recipe into creation.

Not only does it taste delicious, it provides your system with many essential compounds and nutrients needed to build, repair, clean and revitalise you through the day. 

I always take the time to find out as much as I can about wild foods before using them so that I can preserve and cook them properly, and seek them out if I have a particular need or ailment to attend to.

Wild food is a process

Taking the time to prepare, cook and enjoy food in a relaxed state of mind and body when we appreciate the food provided for us, adds to the effect of enjoying and absorbing the best nutrients and benefits from all that we eat.

In a relaxed state, our heartbeat slows down, we can take our time to savour the experience and this gives our body the time it needs to digest everything properly. Add a few sips of filtered water before and after eating to help the food go down and your body will thank you for it in the long run.

A superior cookbook

I wrote a review here a while ago about The Hedgerow Cookbook and have since taken it down from the shelf to re-absorb and use through the coming Spring and Summer seasons. It's time to increase my knowledge and repository of trusted recipes to enjoy more of Nature's bounty and share more ideas here with you.

The Hedgerow Cookbook is beautifully presented. It's a good size (not too big) with heavenly silky and robust paper. The print is clear with stunning photography on each page and for each recipe. There are 24 recipes with wholesome ingredients and easy 'how to make' steps indexed under Flowers & Hips, Leaves, Berries, Fruits with Stones, Fruit with Pips and Nuts as previously mentioned. There is a link below to buy online from my affiliate bookshop.

Who could resist creations so temptingly named as Sweet Onion and Wild Garlic Tart, Wild Garlic Pesto, Nettle Soup, Crab Apple Cordial, Old Fasioned Bramble Pudding, Chocolate Chestnut Terrine and Wild Rose Turkish Delight?

This is a cookery book for celebrating some of Nature's most enticingly edible, tasty and nutritious wild foods which are plotted on a handy seasonal availability chart. Here you will find ideas for preserving wild food and you are guaranteed to find something special to treat everyone with - with a super-nutritional boost included.

I highly recommend this cordon bleu of wildism, it will be a superb cooking companion through 2024 and a perfect gift for any aspiring cook with a penchant for keeping things natural without having to compromise on quality, flavour and style.

I hope you enjoyed this post as an introduction to the wonders of wild food and look forward to seeing you again soon.