It never fails - every time I go foraging with “Wildman” Steve Brill, I learn something.
Today I learned I can do more with jewelweed pods than simply pop them for the sheer fun of it.
There are two types of jewelweed growing in Inwood Hill Park in Northern Manhattan. Spotted jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) has orange flowers and pale jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) pale yellow flowers. The plant is so named because water beads up on the water-repellent leaves, which gleams like jewels.
The succulent stems of this moisture-loving plant have been used as a preventative and to soothe poison ivy and insect bites. “Wildman” also has a recipe for a jewelweed tincture.
The pods will explode at the slightest touch, hence this plant’s other common name - touch-me-not. The trick is to pick a bit of stem with the pod and wrap your hand completely around the pod and squeeze very gently. After the pod bursts open, the little seeds taste a lot like walnuts.
While foraging is the purpose for a tour with “Wildman,” our group was gifted by the sight of an immature bald eagle perched on a branch. New York animals amaze me with their tolerance of humans. This majestic bird stayed put long enough for me to get a good look with my binoculars. The sight of the bird taking flight was awe inspiring.
I always end up with enough greens for a salad or steamed greens. Today was no exception.