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This time of year there is SO MUCH GOOD STUFF GROWING IN THE YARD! My family makes jokes about the menu: weed ravioli, sweet and sour weeds on rice, weeds and cornbread etc. I just can't resist! Without going into great detail I thought you might enjoy a few of our favorites. The main potherbs I'm using right now are poke leaves, thistle leaves (milk thistles are any of those that have milky latex some are more thorny than others but the thorns soften when you cook them, Lambs quarters, plantain, young sawbrier leaves, young redbud leaves, sedum leaves, dandelion, chick weed to name a few. Some of these especially when very young make good salad makings avoid the poke and thistle raw though. Poke needs to be parboiled; cover with water bring to a boil for 5 minutes drain and repeat then drain. Some folks do this 3 times but when you're using very young leaves its not necessary. After this its ready for use. Throw in the other greens and water and seasonings and you've got greens fit for a king aka greens and cornbread. Drain and chop then add italian seasonings and cheeses for a nice filling for ravioli or a layer in lasagna. Stir fry with chopped chicken add soy and a little sweet and sour sauce then serve over rice voila Sweet and Sour Weeds on Rice. If you'd like something more substantial: Peel/scrap young (less than 12 inches tall) Poke stalks, boil in salted water and serve with butter. THIS IS FINE EATING! Tastes like a cross between asparagus and green beans delicious. You can also use thistle stalks, blackbery shoots even young rose shoots when they are green and thick. Just peel/scrape and boil. If you take a knife and cut below ground level on the poke shoot you get a pink blanched section (not the root) that doesn't require peeling and makes a good pickle...I haven't tried this one yet but plan to. A 95 YEO client told me about it and how she loved the pickle served with mixed greens and cornbread. Sometimes I mix the weeds with more domestic greens...what ever is growing in the garden to beef up the flavor. Lots of folks will scramble the cooked greens with eggs...its OK but not my favorite. I think its fun getting to know what you can eat from the woods. Enjoy BG
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I thike we should start a topic HERBS ( general like growing tips ect)
with 2 subtopics Medicinal Cullinary
I have been growing herbs for about 8 years and am still learning but the most enjoyable was & is searching out native plants...on or around my propety. One turned out to be a lifesaver!
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