Foraging in Early Spring: To the woods we go!

(Written by Julie)

This weekend my parents came to visit and we took them out foraging. We were looking for an edible weed called Chickweed and Stinging Nettles. About a month ago James and I had already went out and successfully found chickweed. The Nettles are just now coming up. From what I've researched chickweed grows even though the winter, its just a matter of finding it because of snow on the ground.

We did find both chickweed and the nettles. We found the majority of Chickweed on little hills facing South or West where the sun has most exposure. It also was more common growing under or right next to trees or fallen logs. I think most of that has to do with the deer getting the easily exposed stuff.

Stinging Nettles - We brought a pair of rubber gloves to get pick them, they will sting you if you touch them with your bare hands! These we just found randomly springing up here and there. There did seem to have a quite a few patches around each other. They're very young right now and just sprouting up from the ground.


We're anxious to look for Morel Mushrooms in a few weeks.. we searched last year without finding any but we're hoping to make the find this year!

 Chickweed

Stinging Nettles

Eating:
Chickweed- We have put on salads, sandwiches and in smoothies. I think it can be used just like lettuce or any other green.
Nettles- These MUST be cooked up to 120 degrees in order for the stingers to break down. We put some butter and seasoning on them and they tasted much like cooked Spinach. More information at the end of this post is a link to a syrup that can be made for allergies.

NUTRITION:

Chickweed
is an excellent source of vitamins A, D, B complex, C, and rutin (an accompanying flavonoid), as well as iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, sodium, copper, and silica.

Nettles
Stinging Nettles have to be one of the most nutritious foods out there.
Properties:
Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, anti-anaphylactic,anti-

rheumatic, anti-asthmatic, anti-convulsant, anti-dandruff, anti-histamine, astringent, decongestant, depurative, diuretic, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic, hypotensive, galactagogue, immunomodulator, prostate tonic, stimulating tonic.
Indicated for:
Seasonal allergies, arthritis, bronchitis, bursitis, gingivitis, laryngitis, prostatitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, tendinitis, BPH, rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions. High blood pressure, hair loss, anaemia, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, eczema, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids. Alzheimer's disease, asthma, bladder infections, hives, kidney stones, multiple sclerosis, PMS, prostate enlargement and sciatica

Numbers indicate mg per 100g of Nettles,
Calcium (2900) Magnesium (860) Chromium (3.9) Cobalt (13.2) Iron (41.8) Phosphorus (447) Potassium (1750 )Zinc (4.7) Thiamine (0.54) Riboflavin (0.43) Vitamin A (15,700IU) Niacin (5.2) Protein (10.2%) Manganese (7.8) Selenium (2.2) Silicon (10.3) Tin (2.7) Vitamin C (83) Sodium (4.9) Copper, Sulfur, Vitamin D, Vitamin K

More information : http://kcorganic.ws/ and 

http://www.veria.com/concentrated-allergy-relief.html?utm_source=veria&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_03-21-11&mailer_id=36&user_id=NDY3MQ==