Of course I think EVERYONE should love wild foods, but I freely admit it’s a topic that is just coming into its own. Which is why I’m always so pleased and excited to meet people who share my passion. When Devon, at Nitty Gritty Life, posted her recipe for Oregon grape curd, I knew I had to try it. Then,…
Read More
Oregon grape is a popular ornamental shrub, and with good reason; it’s pretty to look at in all four seasons. Shiny evergreen leaves take on red variegation when the weather gets cold. In early spring the shrub produces showy sprays of bright yellow flowers, making the bees very happy. And in mid summer to early fall it produces clusters of…
Read More
Americans don’t eat a lot of dessert soups, but a smooth fruit soup makes an elegant ending to a special meal. In Sweden, nyponsoppa is a traditional dessert. Here, we call it rose hip soup. Many rose hip soup recipes call for spices like star anise, cinnamon, and nutmeg, but my recipe highlights the sweet/tart flavor of rose hips and…
Read More
Rose hip syrup is made from rose hips, which are the fruits of roses. (I know, I know, most people don’t think of roses as having fruits, but they do!) The syrup is lovely to look at, and full of vitamin C. Rose hips are a firm fruit, so it takes a little coaxing to get the juices out. The…
Read More
For years I disdained making Queen Anne’s Lace jelly, believing it to be merely sweet, without distinctive flavor. I’d heard lackluster reviews from fellow foragers, but this year I decided to see for myself and boy am I glad I did. Because Queen Anne’s Lace jelly has a lovely flavor: fruity, not too sweet…it kind of reminds me of juicy…
Read More