It's not been so very long since humans relied very heavily upon food that could be gathered direct from the wild, and yet many of us today are oblivious to its presence, or worse, suspicious of it.

This page details my personal efforts to explore the wild larder of Britain (and anywhere else I happen to visit).

Why?

Everyone loves getting something for nothing.
Many people feel it's important to know exactly where and how their food is produced,
Others want natural produce that has not been interfered with chemically or genetically, and has not been forced to produce out of season.
Gathering food from the wild satisfies all these desires, all at the same time.

And it's good

Don't make the mistake of thinking that I'll be chewing on dry bark and trying to convince you it's the best thing I've ever tasted. I won't - if I try something and it's no good, I'll say so.

That said, I know for a fact that there are lots of cases where wild-gathered food can offer a taste experience unmatched by any other. It's good, and I'm going to prove it.

(but intend to try soon)

Truffles.

I know they grow in the sorts of woodland I have nearby - and I know it's possible to find them without the help of specially-trained animals... but will I actually succeed?

Slipper Limpets.

A foreign invader - these were introduced to the UK in the 50's and they're now hugely abundant on the south coast. Apparently they're pretty good - softer than ordinary limpets (which can't be a bad thing - I've eaten those and they were a nice flavour, but texture like eating a rubber washer)

Clams.

Lots of these in Southampton water and reportedly completely safe for human consumption.

Pendulous Sedge

A grass-like plant common in damp woodland - abundant in my part of the world - the seeds can be ground to make a sort of flour

Ash Keys

The winged seeds of the Ash tree (Fraxinus) - when picked young and tender - can apparently be used to make an unusual pickle

What else?

If you've got a suggestion that you think belongs in this section, please contact me to let me know.

(but haven't mentioned here yet)

Here are a few of my favourite things to seek out and eat. Next time I do, I'll post the details here...

Earthnuts

Not a nut at all, but the tuberous root of a plant related to carrots. They taste sort of nutty-carroty (who'd have guessed?).

Sweet Chestnuts

It's a race against the squirrels, but a worthwhile one.

Wild Cherries

(Including feral cherries self-grown from discarded pips)

(but probably should, eventually...)

Insects

Deliberate consumption, that is - part of me keeps saying that they can't really be any worse than prawns or crabs - which are pretty leggy, crawly and ugly. The rest of me keeps saying "You can't possibly mean that". I'm finding it really hard to work up an appetite for land-based arthropods, but maybe that will change.