When you put food on a plate to serve to yourself and your family, you probably got those vegetables at a farmer's market or grocery store. Perhaps you grew some or maybe all of them in your backyard, if you like gardening. Though these are by far the most popular ways to source food, there is a growing forage California movement that gives you an alternative way to put food on the table.
No matter where you live, there is likely an abundance of food available nearby in a wooded area. A short drive can take you to a forest or open field where things like greens or mushrooms grow wild. These and any other foods you find can be used by everyone from meat eaters to vegans to provide a healthy meal that tastes great and didn't cost a dime to get.
Thankfully, those without transportation or who just don't have time to drive out into the woods are not out of luck. Urban foraging is a growing branch of this movement that requires you only to walk around your neighborhood or city to find goodies to eat. Look for places that are abandoned or open spaces with bushes and vines and perhaps trees that are bearing fruit. Pick, wash an serve for your next meal.
California is home to a very long coastline, and this close proximity to the water makes it easy to forage for proteins that other areas just can't provide. Some people love to get a pole and fish, but many foragers prefer diving to get bay scallops or even the delicacy abalone to give themselves a delicious and nutritious treat. Just make sure you take an experienced guide with you if you've never done this before.
There are people who have been doing this for quite a long time, and some of these pioneers want to expand the movement. They may offer classes that you can take to learn how to forage properly. If you wish to try foraging but have no experience, then it is a really good idea to take one of these classes. There are lots of things growing wild that are not necessarily good for you, and can even be poisonous if eaten. Avoid these problems by getting informed through classes.
Besides classes, some places offer guided tours. There are even weekend expeditions to not only find wild food, but learn to clean and cook it as well. In fact, in some California cities, there are shared kitchens and even cooking classes available that focus on foraged ingredients.
There are even some restaurants that are opening that have a menu based either entirely or at least partly on whatever wild foods happen to be in season. Some of these are permanent locations that are open five to seven days per week, while others are pop up restaurants that are only available for a short time before they close shop.
Enjoy yourself as you try this new way to eat, but keep a few things in mind. Be considerate of others by only taking what you need, that way others get to take some home, too. Local laws have had to be passed in some places due to stripping of wild plants. Avoid this so that you and everyone else can have a good time.
No matter where you live, there is likely an abundance of food available nearby in a wooded area. A short drive can take you to a forest or open field where things like greens or mushrooms grow wild. These and any other foods you find can be used by everyone from meat eaters to vegans to provide a healthy meal that tastes great and didn't cost a dime to get.
Thankfully, those without transportation or who just don't have time to drive out into the woods are not out of luck. Urban foraging is a growing branch of this movement that requires you only to walk around your neighborhood or city to find goodies to eat. Look for places that are abandoned or open spaces with bushes and vines and perhaps trees that are bearing fruit. Pick, wash an serve for your next meal.
California is home to a very long coastline, and this close proximity to the water makes it easy to forage for proteins that other areas just can't provide. Some people love to get a pole and fish, but many foragers prefer diving to get bay scallops or even the delicacy abalone to give themselves a delicious and nutritious treat. Just make sure you take an experienced guide with you if you've never done this before.
There are people who have been doing this for quite a long time, and some of these pioneers want to expand the movement. They may offer classes that you can take to learn how to forage properly. If you wish to try foraging but have no experience, then it is a really good idea to take one of these classes. There are lots of things growing wild that are not necessarily good for you, and can even be poisonous if eaten. Avoid these problems by getting informed through classes.
Besides classes, some places offer guided tours. There are even weekend expeditions to not only find wild food, but learn to clean and cook it as well. In fact, in some California cities, there are shared kitchens and even cooking classes available that focus on foraged ingredients.
There are even some restaurants that are opening that have a menu based either entirely or at least partly on whatever wild foods happen to be in season. Some of these are permanent locations that are open five to seven days per week, while others are pop up restaurants that are only available for a short time before they close shop.
Enjoy yourself as you try this new way to eat, but keep a few things in mind. Be considerate of others by only taking what you need, that way others get to take some home, too. Local laws have had to be passed in some places due to stripping of wild plants. Avoid this so that you and everyone else can have a good time.
About the Author:
To preserve and restore native grasses, consider learning more about forage California. Here is the blog that explains more on this topic at http://livingwild.org.
