White Memorial Conservation Center
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This sprawling estate is loaded with varied habitats chock full of wild plants, a great place for mid-spring foraging.
After a brief introductory talk, we'll dig up some tremendous burdock roots growing near the museum. These nutritious roots a staple in east Asian cuisine, taste like a combination of potatoes and artichokes. We should also find burdock flower stalks at the peak of their short season. Peeled and parboiled, they taste like artichoke hearts. |
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Burdock Root Dig up this massive taproot using a shovel. Look for it growing on soft soil free of rocks. Collect after rain has softened the soil. These tricks make this otherwise uncooperative root easy to harvest. |
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Close by we'll find large stands of lamb's-quarters, a tasty, highly nutritious relative of spinach and beets. Strip off the leaves and use them like spinach.
Alongside a dirt road, we'll find edibles that thrive in partially shaded habits, including greenbriar, wood sorrel, garlic mustard, field garlic, bayberry bushes, sassafras, and black birch. And the woodland trails could hide spring mushrooms such as morels, dryad's saddle, and chicken mushrooms. And we may also find ramps in the woods. These broad-leaved plants are the best-tasting members of the onion family. |
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The talk and walking tour begin at 1 PM, Saturday, May 31, at 80 Whitehall Rd. in Litchfield, CT. The fee is $15 for nonmembers, $10 for members, and $5 for children under 12.
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Call (860) 567-0857 at least 24 hours ahead sign up.
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