Sticky gumweed is so distinctive; it’s difficult not to notice when it’s blooming, which in the Colorado foothills ranges from late July through early September. Also known as curly-cup gumweed or curly gumweed, both the “sticky” and the “gumweed” descriptors in these common … [Read more...]
Jellies and Jams, My Currant Obsession
Suddenly, out of nowhere, I absolutely love making jellies and jams! Mind you, this is a complete about-face from how I felt about them yesterday, especially after Gregg read aloud the brochure that came inside the box of MCP pectin and it said we had to “Measure ingredients … [Read more...]
Soapberry Pepper Jelly…A First on Several Fronts
My mother always told me not to eat wild berries I found growing in the woods, and I have long heeded her advice with the exception of easy ones like blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries. That is, until recently, when I found a guide to wild edible berries at our local … [Read more...]
Wild Huckleberry Masterpiece
The high country huckleberry season (Vaccinium species) is winding down now, but it was such a success at its peak that I feel obliged to write about it. This is because not only did we find the berries plentiful (and literally in our very own back yard at 11,000 feet in the … [Read more...]
Holy Puffballs, Batman!
All this rain is making the mushrooms come out—a connection I never made before since I’m pretty much a beginner with edible fungi. So, when Gregg and I took a long, off trail hike above our house to an isolated beaver pond at 12,000 feet, crossing an above tree-line meadow to … [Read more...]
