We are just back from the Midwest Wild Harvest Festival in Wisconsin, where I had the honor of presenting for the first time. One of my workshops was on wild mustards— specifically, I invited participants to join me in making three mustard condiments from the seeds of field … [Read more...]
Land caviar from kochia seeds
I almost didn’t believe my first bite of wild-made tonburi—a preparation that involves boiling and soaking kochia seeds to make what is referred to as “land caviar.” The green and black seeds swell to a gelatinous texture with a shiny finish, and the mouth feel is the … [Read more...]
Fruity sipping vinegars
Berry season has been good this year in Colorado’s high country. I've been cooking down all manner of wild berries—black currants and gooseberries, Oregon grapes, and black elderberries from Denver-area landscaping—and straining out the juice through a makeshift setup of cut, … [Read more...]
Wild tarragon in the weeds
I am in love. Wild tarragon. It is the same species as the cultivated herb, but grows wild as a native species throughout much of the U.S. and Canada. I can’t believe I didn’t notice it sooner. Wild tarragon is concentrated in the western United States—south to New Mexico and … [Read more...]
Sprouted goosefoot flour
I’d been eating a lot of quinoa while staring longingly at the seeds of its relative, the ubiquitous weed, goosefoot. In fact I kept a jar of the black seeds in my pantry for more than two years before attempting to eat them. Truth be told, I was stumped by them. I eat … [Read more...]
