vendredi 20 mars 2015

How To Prepare Wild Foods Of California

By Lelia Hall


A person should always exercise caution when foraging and consuming plants found growing in nature. Making a mistake about the identity of such an item could prove to be toxic and even deadly. Therefore, any time that an individual is in doubt about a plant, consulting an expert before consuming it is advisable. Knowing how to find edible plants in any area is a great survival tool, and there are plenty of wild foods of California worth considering. Preparing recipes made from such plants can be a rewarding activity.

The state is home to a broad array of edible plants. Carob trees produce pods that are delightfully sweet, and these trees grow abundantly in certain areas. The pods can be made into a finely ground powder after they have been dried and then roasted. This powder is often used to sweeten smoothies, baked goods, and hot drinks.

Fennel is another edible plant that can be found in the state. The fennel plant produces flowers, which eventually become seeds. The seeds have a flavor that tastes like licorice, and they are used in a broad array of recipes. The seeds can be added to soups and salads to add a new dimension of flavor to such items.

Another type of edible plant that grows naturally in the state is mallow. This leaf is flavorful and soft. The leaves are ideal to use in salads, and they can also be pan-fried the way that spinach and collard greens may be fried on a stove. Another method employed for cooking them is to steam the leaves, which may preserve their flavor beautifully.

Prickly pear cactus can also be found growing naturally in the area. It can be seen growing untamed in the foothills of many neighborhoods. The fruit and the pads of the cactus can be removed from the plant, while still leaving the main part of the plant intact. The fruit is sweet and is a great addition to fruit salad. The pads are quite versatile, and they may be fried, boiled, or pickled. Removing the skin and the spines from the fruit and the pads is necessary.

This geographical area is also a place to forage for olives. Olives were originally taken from Mediterranean areas by missionaries, and they were then transplanted in the state. Olives are quite bitter in taste after they are picked from the tree, and they must be cured before they can be eaten with any enjoyment. After olives are cured, they can be eaten by themselves or added to sauces, soups, salads, or pasta recipes.

Radishes are also seen growing naturally in the state. The untamed kind of radish is similar in taste to the domesticated kind sold in grocery stores. People can eat the flowers, stems, leaves, and roots of this plant, making it a versatile choice. The pods are delicious when pickled in vinegar.

When prepared properly, many of the plants that grow in nature can be delicious. People should never consume untamed plants until they are certain of their identities. Foraged plants are eaten by millions of people across the world.




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