by Ruby Taylor | Jul 11, 2024 | Forage of the Month
Nettle Seeds Nettles are a truly amazing plant. They’re a valuable food source to key butterfly species, and also humans, plus their fibres are very strong and good for making cordage and textiles. Over recent years, the big nettle patch at the end of my garden...
by Ruby Taylor | Jun 15, 2024 | All Journal Entries, Forage of the Month
Elderflower Cake The fragrant, frothy elder flowers are out now, a lovely sign of summer. Elderflower cordial recipes abound, so here’s a favourite recipe of mine for elderflower cake. I’ve created a vegan version for this recipe too, which you’ll...
by Ruby Taylor | Oct 9, 2023 | Forage of the Month
Beech Nuts Beech trees are beautiful for so many reasons! Where I grew up, near the Chilterns in South Oxfordshire, we roamed in beech woods during bluebell season, and in the autumn when their fallen leaves glow copper. For other creatures and plants, beech woodland...
by Ruby Taylor | Jun 6, 2023 | Forage of the Month
Elderflower Fritters Pick your elderflowers on a calm, sunny day when the buds are freshly open, before the petals brown around the edges. This is when they’re most flavoursome. Lightly shake them to release any small insects, then snip off the larger stalks....
by Ruby Taylor | Jan 1, 2023 | Forage of the Month
King Alfred’s Cakes At this time of year there’s not so much around to forage, but these are a favourite for fire-making. I always keep an eye open for them when I’m out in the winter woods. Their Latin name is Daldinia concentrica and if you break...
by Ruby Taylor | Aug 14, 2022 | Forage of the Month
Elderberry Elixir: this is one of my all-time favourite elderberry recipes, and it comes from Lucinda Warner at Whispering Earth. It’s a long-lasting and delicious preparation that Lucinda describes as ‘warming your wintery cockles’… I can...