The Family That Forages Together... won't go hungry
Karhu’s whole clan harvests nature’s bounty.
ERNEST J. KARHU
RELATED CONTENT
PHOTOS BY AUTHOR. LINE DRAWINGS,
EXCEPT FOR WILD GRAPE AND QUEEN ANNE'S-LACE,
COURTESY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL MUSEUM.
I learned at an early age that our home in the country was
surrounded by groceries "free for the picking". Wild
strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, dewberries,
elderberries and wild grapes contributed to my summer fare.
The aroma of fresh berry pie and canned wild fruits remains
quite vivid in my memory of those days. I especially recall
the nearby field of wild asparagus so abundant that most of
the spears grew into seed stalks before they could be cut.
Still, although I've stalked the wild asparagus since age
four, I've just begun to really appreciate the value of
foraged food. Over the years, except for an occasional trip
into the country to hunt walnuts, I'd almost forgotten
about the wild foods of my childhood. A recent job
transfer, however, enabled me to purchase a home near an
abandoned vineyard overgrown with several varities of wild
berries. Furthermore, our new house is within a few miles
of THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS. This fortunate coincidence has
opened a new experience of foraging wild foods for my
entire family.
Most folks view wild vegetation with contempt and as an
enemy of the lawn and garden. That which is not a planned
part of the suburban development is viewed as being
worthless; as an eyesore which detracts from a
well-manicured environment. A wide variety of dangerous
chemicals has been developed to eliminate such "worthless
weeds". Unfortunately, I've seen many a fine wild
strawberry patch succumb to chemicals and the lawn mower.
Countless vacant lots, once lushly overgrown with a live
supply of wild foods, have been transformed into wastelands
of barren stubble.
I'd like to suggest with this article that our so-called
"weeds" may serve some fundamental purpose - not only to a
balanced ecology - but also to human nutrition.
Additionally, although the experience of foraging for wild
food may not be a panacea for our times, it may yield some
positive alternatives to our present system of control.
WILD STRAWBERRIES
Few people will dispute the fact that wild strawberries are
superior to cultivated varieties. They're a valued prize
for the wild food forager. I've located a number of fine
patches of this luscious fruit within a few hundred yards
of my suburban home. One patch is nearly an acre in size
and its berries are exceptionally good.
Although the wild strawberry is small and filling a pail
with clean berries is a painstaking task, my family and I
usually have been able to pick enough for several dessert
treats in a half hour. Our children enjoy harvesting wild
fruit and always look forward to an excursion to the
strawberry patch. Sometimes our two-year-old Betsy picks
more than six-year-old John. Betsy, however, is usually
unwilling to share her treasure and prefers to have it
served with milk as soon as she returns home.
Page: 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
Next >>
