in Food & Drink

Poll: Feasting From the Wilds

273 Views 9 Votes 13 Comments

Many people have rediscovered how very many plants that grow wild that are edible, tasty, and healthy. The plants might grow in forests, fields, vacant lots, or even in the yard and garden. In many cases, the wild edible plants have been seen by many people and those people might recognize the plant, but they never knew that the plants could be eaten. 

In fact, every year people spend an unbelievable amount of money on herbicides to kill weeds, most of which are edible. It would make a lot more sense to simply eat those weeds. That not only would save money that would be spent on toxic substances that can foul the environment, it also saves money because the food is there for the picking, normally free of charge. As an added benefit, many of those wild plants contain minerals and vitamins that most people don’t get enough of.

Granted, there is some learning and effort involved. People need to learn to identify the plant and recognize it as something that can be eaten. Most are fairly easy to learn to identify, though.

They must actually pick the plant or plant parts that are edible. This isn’t a great deal of effort, however, since it is what gardeners routinely do for the fruits and vegetables in their garden.

They must learn how to prepare the plants for eating. Again, this isn’t much different than any other food that is prepared. There is learning involved in discovering how to cook with the plants.

None of this is new. The poll questions have to do with the interest people have in the edible wild plants. There needs to be an interest before a person can learn to identify, harvest, and prepare the food. That is what this poll is about.

  • Question of

    Do you ever harvest wild edible plants for eating?

    • I often harvest certain wild plants for eating.
    • I only harvest a few wild plants, but not often.
    • I would harvest some wild plants if I knew what to harvest and how to prepare it.
    • I have no interesting in learning what wild plants can be eaten or how to eat them.
  • Question of

    How do you feel about wild edible plants?

    • I think they are great resources for food that are often ignored.
    • I have a mild interest in the plants but probably won’t eat them.
    • I’d probably eat more wild edible plants if I could identify them and knew how to prepare them.
    • I have no interest in learning more about wild edible plants and no desire to try them.
  • Question of

    How many wild edible plants do you already know how to identify?

    • None
    • A few, not counting berries and fruits
    • Probably a dozen or more.
  • Question of

    Did you realize that most plants commonly thought of as weeds are edible?

    • Yes
    • No

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What do you think?

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cookingharvestinginterestpollwild edible plantswild herbs

Written by Rex Trulove

13 Comments

    • Some plants are harder to identify than others and you’re right, there can be plants that are similar in appearance. For instance, wild anise looks very similar to water hemlock and a person definitely doesn’t want to mix the two up. However, anise is actually easy to identify. Crushing a leaf or seed gives an unmistakable licorice scent. The smell of crushed water hemlock is disagreeable and nothing like licorice.

    • I agree. People look at me a little strangely when they see me out in the yard this time of year digging up dandelions and putting them in a pot. I enjoy spring vegetables that are considered weeds. :))