New Friends, Part 2 (the human kind)

Remember when I posted about first becoming acquainted with Lady's Thumb and Serviceberry? I mentioned that folks in the Foraging/Wild Edibles/Urban Gardening communities were generally awfully nice people.

pineapple weed

Well now I have more proof. I'm a member of several Facebook Groups: among them, Boston Area Gardeners, Jamaica Plain Gardeners and Foragers (Jamaica Plain is the Boston neighborhood where I live), and Edible Wild Plants.

I recently discovered a new plant: Pineappleweed.

coal slag

This is a plant I remember from my childhood: it grew in the driveway at my grandparents' camp on the banks of the St. Lawrence River (cottages are called "camps," up north). The driveway was paved in what I'm guessing, in retrospect, was coal slag. As a child, I thought it was lunar rock--which explained (to me) the stunted look of these little petal-less flowers. (Along with getting repeatedly run over by cars.)

Come to find out, from other Foraging Fanatics, that for some reason, Pineappleweed actually likes to grow in driveways. Some weeds are just gluttons for punishment?

Anyway, wanting to learn what others were doing with Pineappleweed, I put out the question on the Facebook Edible Wild Plants group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ediblewildplants/permalink/10156439646753177/

Well didn't I get a lovely response! Teas, cordials, ice cream, seasoning for baked goods, ingredients in oriental dishes. One of my favorite suggestions was from Leda Meredith: Flan http://ledameredith.com/pineappleweed-flan-recipe/

I've referred to Leda's book "Northeast Foraging" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604694173/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1604694173&linkCode=as2&tag=ledsurbhom-20 several times as an excellent field guide.

Turns out she has a newer book, "The Forager's Feast," featuring wild edibles recipes. Since I don't see myself as ever being a huge recipe blogger, I'm happy to share a link to her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Foragers-Feast-Identify-Prepare-Countryman/dp/1581573065/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=ledsurbhom-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=KPTYEDZYJ6IYZDEB&creativeASIN=1581573065

painted trillium--just a pretty picture, pending more research

Confession: I know, I know, Facebook is practically Satan's handmaiden. But you know what? I start out most mornings reviewing new posts from the gardening/wild edible groups I mentioned above. My days begin learning about plants and hanging out with people who appreciate them. My days, therefore, start out happy (-: