Fresh from the wild - edible vegetables collected by you

[ErmesT]

Fresh from the wild, a different way to get vegetable food.

I was born in a farm, 15 years after the devastating second World War. Collecting fresh wild vegetables, naturally growed directly on the fields, or along the rivers, was for me very common.

It was a common thing, to learn about edible erbs, to know where to find it, how and when to collect it.

After more than 50 years, and a completely different lifestyle, we still love to collect it.

Every season have different plants growing up, and in my area it is very common to see people walking with a basket, along the rivers, in the woods, or in the mountains, looking for fresh edible veggies.

It seems this is very strange for a lot of people, but I think it is very common also in many other areas of the planet.

Being curious, I want to know: wich are the vegetable that are collected in your area, “FRESH FROM THE WILD”?

As usual, let me start with this “wild hops”. This variety of hops grows along the rivers of my area (North east of Italy), and on the springtime the sprouts are widely collected.

We call it “bruscandoli”. They are used (cooked) to make sauces for rice and pasta, or as a side dish

What do you collect in your area?

@HelloSamsonR , @user_not_found @OSAMA , @BishowvijayaP , @TraciC , @MariaBi , @KarenVChin , @FaridTDF

[OSAMA]

Ooh @ErmesT you bring alot of happy memories for me check this one

Barbary fig

[ErmesT]

Thanks @OSAMA

I’m sure every country have some traditional veggies.

What about you @SoniaK

[system]

Just beside my house there is a wine cellar,and all this area is a valley full of wine cellars,more than 30 I think.

[ErmesT]

Haha @user_not_found

Collect wines from the cellars can be considered a wild action, but…

In the wine yard we collect a lot of vegetables

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@Nando76 wrote:

Just beside my house there is a wine cellar,and all this area is a valley full of wine cellars,more than 30 I think.

[system]

In the last area where I lived there Tropical fruit plantations,one of the most important of the world, especially avocados and mangoes.

I was living there for 7 years until last october when I moved to Ronda.

So I’ve had avocados,mangos,lemons,oranges for free 7 years hehe.

This area is called “Axarquia” really a paradise for tropical climate lovers.

I’ve got some pictures in my computer I’ll post them tomorrow

[system]

In Autumn is typical collect wild green asparagus. When it rains(every time it rains less in Spain) is typical too collect snails to make a very good stew…at least in my area.Andalucia is much more arid than another areas of Spain.

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[LucioV]

Great thread my friend, but I’m not so in vegetables… as you know

[ErmesT]

Wow, I like wild asparagus @user_not_found

We are collecting this asparagus also in many areas of Italy

[ErmesT]

Yes I know, @LucioV

That you and vegetables lives in two different planets, but I’m sure that in the beautiful park near you, a lot of people search for wild edible plants

[LucioV]

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@ErmesT wrote:

Yes I know, @LucioV

That you and vegetables lives in two different planets, but I’m sure that in the beautiful park near you, a lot of people search for wild edible plants

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Sure! There is always some woman making the “cicorione”

[TraciC]

@ErmesT Hops? Can you make beer with it?

[ErmesT]

This is the wild plant @TraciC

They tried to use it for making beer, but the taste is varying a lot from place to place, so the results are unpredictable.

My area produce also a lot of hops for the beer makers

[ErmesT]

Now, let me please increase a bit the level, moving from a wonderful (but unknow) vegetable, to the Emperor of the wild, the Most Wanted everywhere in the world.

I need some help, for this, but I know the right person: @manulele81 . He is the best person to intruduce us to Its Majesty the Truffle

This year I was passing in Norcia just in time to cross throug the Fair of “The Black of Norcia” one of the World Famous Truffle, together with the “Wite from Alba”

Even after the earthquake, the fair was impressive

Now, i want to introduce Rocco to you.
Rocco is a wonderful “Lagotto Romagnolo”, one of the best “truffle searcher” dog. We met him in Castelsantangelo sul Nera

[Bishowvijaya]

Dear @ErmesT

Thank you so much for the post. When I was in a village my family used to crop vegetables so I never gone to collect edible vegetables from the wild. But I used to go forest to find different fruits. But taking the opportunity of your post here I would like to mention about Ophiocordyceps sinensis.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis has different names like Himalayan fungus, Himalayan Viagra etc. Its local name is Yarsagumba (यार्सागुम्बा). Its a summer plant and winter insect which is harvested during mid May-mid July (in plant form) in an altitude of 3540 m to 5040 m. Collection of this plant can be deadly to those who can’t accommodate with intense coldness of the region. Being a life saving tonic its popularity is overwhelming in and outside the country. Foreigners pay $28,000 - 29,000 per 1 Kg. There is a large list of marvelous benefits of Yarsagumba. To increasing the curiosity more I have listed few here:

• treatment of Hepatitis B

• strengthen stamina, kidney, lungs and heart

• treatment of impotence and premature ejaculation

• treatment of diseases related to nervous system, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic nephritis

• stimulation of sex hormones and delaying the ageing process

• increasing the immune system destroyed by radiation

Yarsagumba has a bad effect also. The bad effect is not by itself but by its popularity. Locals of districts; where Yarsagumba is collected sometimes; did not allow other to enter there and fought till the death few years ago. Now the field is under the supervision of government and people need to have licence in order to collect Yarsagumba.

Yarsagumba is not the sole important plant only. The database shows that in Nepal there 1,624 medicinal plants recorded so far (surface study) but there are so many plants yet to be identified.

The nature has poured everything here except the sea but we are still underdeveloped because of dirty politics.

Please check the photos. I recommend you to check the video.

In Search Of Yarsagumba (Full Video)

@LucioV , @TraciC , @user_not_found , @OSAMA

[DiAnaUS]

I usually go to the farmers markets for my produce because the produce is so much fresher.

In parts of America we are not allowed to have gardens where we can self sustain, (key phrase: Self sustain) the Local governments will send someone to condemn them, especially if they are in the front yards. It has something to do with taking away from our governments agricultural and economic growth. There are strict rules to growing gardens in my area in Long Island, N.Y., but not so much in the part of Orlando, FL I live; (but it is really strict in deed restricted communities and where there are homeowners associations.)

[SoniaK]

That’s a lovely memory stirring post @ErmesT . You took me back to my childhood.

Yes, every country has their own version of traditional vegetables. So does Bangladesh. As a kid, I was not much a fan of greens, but my mom took me to our village several times to get me acquainted with the field and the soil. And gradually I fell in love with vegetables.

Unfortunately, I can’t share any photos of our local vegetables as most of my personal collection are gone (my mass storage crashed ). But I hope I can ask @MahabubMunna or @MuhiburRSaad or @Kamalhasnainee to share the photos for you guys.

I am sharing some photos here from internet. Yet, waiting for some original photos from my fellow countrymen.

[ErmesT]

what a story, @BishowvijayaP . This story deserve a dedicated topic, it is really amazing.

Thanks a lot for sharing. I’ve watched only a part of your video (i have to go to work), but i want to watch it completely, it is very interesting

[Bishowvijaya]

@SoniaK

I have collected all those which you have shared here (except first).

Then why I didn’t share them here? Its because of the word ‘WILD’.

All of those except the one in first picture are cropped field.

The first one is from the wild. Its scientific name is Colocasia esculenta and we call it Karkalo (कर्कलो ) here. They are also of variety. One is cultivated and that you showed in picture is mostly found in sides of streams or wetlands where there is shadow or less intense sunlight.

Thanks for sharing.

[Bishowvijaya]

Yeah @ErmesT bro. But if you watch it full then t the end you will be filled with sentiment too. Some changes are made prior to the video since this is more than decade a old video. I will make a brief post of it if it is worth shareable to connect.

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@ErmesT wrote:

what a story, @Bishowvijaya . This story deserve a dedicated topic, it is really amazing.

Thanks a lot for sharing. I’ve watched only a part of your video (i have to go to work), but i want to watch it completely, it is very interesting