The Neighborhood Forager: A Guide for the Wild Food Gourmet SYNOPSIS
Lifelong forager Robert Henderson convincingly argues that, contrary to popular belief, residential areas offer more botanical diversity, and therefore richer pickings for wild edibles, than the average forest or rural meadow. From vacant city lots to tree-lined suburban developments, every neighborhood has its share of plants with culinary and medicinal uses. The Neighborhood Forager reveals what they are, where to find them, and how to use them in the kitchen.
Intended to be used in conjunction with one or more detailed field guides, The Neighborhood Forager is organized into chapters according to plant type and arranged alphabetically by genus. Each entry includes tips on preparation and cooking, and more than 30 creative recipes make the most of flavorful wild edibles. Also included are:
Detailed instructions for using and preserving the harvest
Commonsense guidelines to follow when foraging
Foraging advisories listing hazards suburban foragers are likely to confront
A list of desirable tools and equipment for foraging
Notes on making natural dyes from plants
Fascinating plant history and folklore
As fun to read as it is practical, The Neighborhood Forager is an excellent introduction to hundreds of common wild edibles all within easy reach. Every aspiring wild-gatherer, creative cook, and student of self-sufficiency should read this book.
About the Author:
Robert Henderson is a product of the bays and forests of the Pacific Northwest who has made foraging for wild edibles his lifelong passion. He has studied First Nations and pioneer traditions since childhood, and as an adult has explored rural Latin American and European cultures. His articles have appeared in Herbs for Health, The Herb Companion, Backwoods Home, and Countrys ide. He lives and forages in Chilliwack, British Columbia.
FROM THE CRITICS
Booknews
An expert forager provides a fine introduction to the most readily accessible and tasty salad greens, nuts, teas, seasonings, and other foodstuffs available in the gardens, fields, woodlands, and parking strips of North America. Includes charts of plant uses, seasonal availability, a glossary, and abundant recipes, many creatively adapted by the author. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Internet Bookwatch
In The Neighborhood Forager: A Guide For The Wild Food Gourmet, Robert Henderson demonstrates that foraging for
wild edibles is not difficult, nor does it require special equipment or traveling to some distant swamp or forest. Indeed, there
is a bounty of harvestable foodstuffs to be found in the suburbs or the city. Profusely illustrated throughout, The
Neighborhood Forager is organized into chapters based on plant type and is a complete "how to" introduction for the novice
wild edibles gatherer covering hundreds of widespread, delicious, nutritious species of plants within easy reach of everyone.
Henderson provides complete harvesting and drying tips; dyers notes for making natural dyes from plants); foraging
advisors (identifying poisonous plans and "look-alikes"); more than 30 creative recipes; details on preserving and cooking;
traditional and medicinal uses (with instructions for making herbal teas and other tonics), and more. From Mediterranean
Turkey with Conifer Tips, Spruce Beer, and Marigold Vinegar, to Elderflower Champagne, Wild Greens Rockefeller, and
Walnut Pickles, The Neighborhood Forager is a unique and practical guide for the wild food gourmet.
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