8 Foods You Can Forage

Granted, learning to forage for food might seem a little daunting and maybe a little unnecessary to some. Why rummage around the forest when there is perfectly good food at the supermarket, right? At least you know what you are getting when you buy it there.

While there is some truth to that, there is nothing quite like the empowerment of understanding some of what nature is offering us for free right on our doorstep.

Yes, there are very strict precautions to take before embarking on a foraging adventure, but you will be surprised at how much there is right there for you, ready to be enjoyed.

#Bonus. Foraging Rules

While it can be a lot of fun and frankly fascinating, foraging isn’t something to be endeavored with complete nonchalance. For all the good the morsels that Mother Nature can provide for snacking, there is also a lot out there that can cut a hiking trip (and sometimes a life) short. That said, by following a few simple dos and don’ts, foraging is an easy thing to get into and can provide a much deeper appreciation for how we all tie together. Before you head out into the wild, check out this important list: Dos and Don’ts of Food Foraging – and Living to Tell the Tale

1. Mushrooms

The idea of foraging for mushrooms seems almost magical and certainly naughty. The magic is that there are so many mushrooms out there, and seemingly only a wizard or conjurer of potions could identify what is and isn’t to be included. Then, it feels naughty because most of us grew up with stiff warnings to never eat mushrooms from the forest, as we would certainly poison ourselves. There are indeed some incredibly toxic mistakes to be made both for inexperienced and experienced foragers. To get into the mushroom game, it’s best to pick a few common, easily identifiable fungi that can’t easily be confused with those we don’t want to eat. (Of course, growing your mushrooms is always an option as well.) Check out these 7 Mushrooms That Can Be Harvested From the Wild.

2. Chickweed

Not to belittle the idea that there are toxic plants out there, but the fact of the matter is that it’s fairly easy to become familiar with a few safe varieties, getting to know them well before slowly amassing a repertoire of foraged edibles. Most of us interested in this sort of thing are familiar with some edibles from the yard, such as dandelion, but there are some other easily identifiable forage foods as well. Chickweed, aka Stellaria media, is another great option, much tastier than dandelion but still loaded with nutrients. Check out this article on How to Easily Forage Chickweed – and Why You Should!

3. Violets

More or less, what is referred to as the wild violet is the sweet violet (in Europe), or Viola odorata, and the common blue violet (in the US), or Viola sororia. These are low-lying plants that tend to grow in lawns, specifically in shady spots with rich soil. In reality, all members of the viola family, which includes (actual) violets, violas, and pansies, have edible leaves and edible flowers; however, there are many flowers called “violets” based on color rather than actual taxonomy. Learn here How to Forage and Use Violets!

4. Berries

Foraging for berries can be a wonderful way to get out into nature, learn about your local area, and fill your belly and pantry with these perfect gifts from the wild. How much more rewarding would it be to spread blackberry jam on your toast knowing that you picked those very berries yourself? If foraging sounds fun to you, here are some very important Tips on Foraging for Berries to think about before you set out the door.

5. Dandelions

For decades now, dandelions have been a source of disdain for gardeners. Down on their knees, galoshes in a bunch, they have ripped them up with reckless abandon, fearful that the flowers will bloom and send seeds whirling around the well-manicured rows of the garden. But, it only makes sense to make use of the apparent “noxious weed”, as it is super nutritious, medicinal, and abundant. We don’t even have to cultivate dandelions, as we do most of the vegetables we eat because just one flower head can provide up to 200 new plants, with no tilling, fertilizing, or “weeding” required. Look here to learn a little about dandelions- Food for Forage: Dandelion, It’s Not Just a Weed

6. Wild Herbs

It’s the time of year when lawnmowers and weedwhackers can be heard buzzing and whirring in every neighborhood, with people desperately trying to keep the roadsides trimmed and their yards weed-free. But, if you just stop for a moment and take a closer look, many of those ‘weeds‘ that folk are so deadset on destroying are little gold mines of flavor, nutrients, and foraging fun. Check out these lesser-known plants great for foraging- Foraging for Clover, Dead Nettle, Yarrow, and Pineapple Weed

7. Edible Flowers

Spring brings with it an abundance of new life and new, yummy things for the pollinators to spy on and feed on. Flowers are blooming everywhere, on trees, in gardens, and all over our lawns. Many spring flowers, however, do not provide food for just the birds, bees, and butterflies. With a little practice and patience, these blooms can bring color, beauty, and flavor to our plates, too. Check out these 5 Edible Flowers to Forage This Spring

8. Sorrel

Foraging wild greens is a relatively easy thing to do and an inexpensive way to put together some rather exotic, though completely native, salads. Many of us are familiar with the idea of foraging dandelion greens, and some of us are clued in with some other tasty foraged leaves, such as chickweed, sweet violet, and purslane. Another good one to add to the list is sorrel. Read on to learn How to Forage and Enjoy Sorrel.

This is for informational purposes only. Great care should be taken before consuming any wild plant or mushroom. Never consume a wild plant or mushroom with a 100% certain identification. If in doubt, throw it out. 

Related Content:

• 8 Tips on Fall Growing, Harvesting, and Foraging
• Food for Free: Foraging for Spring Greens
• Forage for Dinner: Chanterelle Mushrooms
• 10 Useful Tools for Foraging
• 5 Edible Flowers to Forage This Spring

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