In the United States we’re used to full shelves, so I was surprised when I ran into my local grocery store for a head of lettuce, to see literally bare shelves.
The produce manager said a delivery had not arrived. I’m not sure why, but without much hesitation, my mind shifted to steamed nettles and wild edible salad.
My usual hike has very few open spaces and the trout lilies are getting too big for salad. So I drove a few miles further and gathered nettles, chickweed, violets, lambs quarters, wood sorrel and dandelions. I dug for wild garlic, which was excellent, but the burdock roots were not as good as I’d hoped.
I’m grateful for the knowledge to be able to forage, but it’s amazing how long dinner preparation takes when you have to gather the plants, before you eat them. I’m really enjoying steamed nettles, and the convenience of a stovetop.
I’m also noticing that I’m less hungry than when I eat salad from cultivated greens - hmmm … They are more nutritious, and being fresh picked means they have retained their nutrition.
I’m glad it’s the right season for salad. Maybe it’s time to learn to set traps. That mouse is still running around. It certainly is well fed on any food I don’t lock up. So, while the days are getting longer and the supply is plentiful, I might as well develop my foraging skills.