Holbrook Farm
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Here's a new natural area to explore in early spring, an organic farm with lots of open, sunny areas, edge habitats, and woods, all loaded with the season's first shoots, greens, and roots. Wild herbs and greens will be thriving in fields, edges, and disturbed habitats. We'll look for daylily shoots, hairy bittercress, yarrow, sheep sorrel, field garlic, mullein, garlic mustard, nettles, and chickweed. Dandelion greens will be at their peak. Delicious in salads, their tantalizing hint of bitterness intensifies as they shrink when cooked, but not if they're first sautéed with spices, then simmered in a sauce, when the bitterness all but vanishes. |
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In the woods, we'll look for culinary and medicinal herbs such as black birch, sassafras, and common spicebush. Roots are in season in early spring, so we'll be finding burdock root, which tastes like a combination of potato and artichoke; wild carrots, more flavorful and more chewy than commercial carrots; and sweet and spicy common evening primrose. There could even be early season mushrooms. With enough rain beforehand, we might find early-season species, such as tree ears, oyster mushrooms, and enoki mushrooms. After the tour, everyone will get to help prepare and enjoy an organic lunch, which will include some of the plants we've foraged, at no additional cost—the best foraging bargain of the season! |
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The 2-hour walking tour begins at 9:30 AM, Saturday, April 4, at Holbrook Farm, 45 Turkey Plain Rd., in Bethel, CT. The suggested donation is $15/adult, $10/child under 12.
Call (914) 835-2153 or (203) 792-0561 at least 24 hours ahead to reserve a place. |
