Check out this recipe for delicious Hedgerow Soup! Can you forage for the ingredients and cook it up?
Hedgerow Soup
Stinging nettles are common on the side of paths and in woodlands and have a huge range of uses and nutritional properties – they contain more iron than spinach! Let’s make a hedgerow soup from stinging nettles!
- Find some growing nettles and, wearing gardening (or thick) gloves, carefully pick them from low down the stem, choosing ones that are a fresh bright green colour.
- Strip the leaves from the stems and put into a bowl. Give them a wash before putting them into a pan with some clean water.
- Bring to the boil and then simmer for 5 minutes to break down the plant and the stings so you won’t get stung when you eat it. You might want to add some salt and pepper for seasoning.
- Serve up and enjoy
Other Foraged Food and Drink Ideas
What other edible plants do you know? Which of them could you find growing wild? Berries? Herbs? Fruits? What could you make with them? If you have someone with the relevant expertise you may be able to forage for more edible plants and fungi in your local area – though never eat anything you find growing wild if you can’t make a positive identification.
You could try making Elderflower Cordial, and elderflowers also make delicious fritters. You can also forage for blackberries to make a delicious crumble, or mint to make fresh mint tea.
Take It Further
If you enjoyed foraging for your supper, you might like to find out how you are saving food miles by getting ingredients local to you with our activity Globe Trotting Grub and by exploring Seasonal Food.
