Foraging: What it is and how to practice it

It's nothing more than going through the fields, like our grandmothers did, to look for wild herbs to cook. But today it's back in vogue, with a new term.

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dandelion, foraging, beneficial uses
Yesterday it was simply going through the woods or into the mountains to hunt for wild herbs. then use in the kitchen. Today, when we are used to being overwhelmed by Anglicisms, it is called foraging, which in fact means gathering food in natural areas. Woods, montains, forests, meadows, college, along the banks of rivers and lakes: always without causing damage and respecting the environment.

Since the dawn of humanity, humans have needed to forage for edible herbs and plants to meet their basic needs. This age-old activity has never ceased, whether due to the convenience of supermarkets or the pervasive current of thought. Everything now and immediately, Il foraging It was long forgotten. That is, until wild herbs became a trend, changing everything, at least for now. Like a summer fad, wandering the fields in search of wild herbs has taken over social media and sparked a veritable revival. But what is it really? foraging?

Considering that at the end of the 19th century, approximately 75% of peasant cuisine consisted of herbs and plants gathered from nature, it's easy to understand how vital this activity was at the time. Especially for our ancestors. In rural areas, people lived off the income they obtained from cultivation, and for them, there was nothing left to do but seek alternative sources for their meals. One of the main ones came precisely from foraging, that is, looking for wild herbs in the woods, fields or mountains, such as dandelion, thistle or seasonal herbs.

foraging, edible wild herbs, wild asparagus

How to forage

Nowadays we are no longer accustomed to leaving home to go into nature to get the ingredients for a meal. The market of best before date and the network of services have led us toward a more planned world where the only way to eat seems to be to buy from a supermarket. Whether through laziness, lack of time, or brainwashing, going to the fields was an activity that had been lost. And for a long time, it was considered something old and antiquated. Simply a thing of the past. But as in the case of vinylForaging has also come back into fashion, and many people are once again enjoying searching for wild herbs or natural ingredients. Essentially, they do so by venturing into the fields or mountains and searching for the herbs that once fed entire families.

Where foraging takes place

The foraging area is very broad. First of all, it is best to avoid areas, even apparently wild and uncultivated ones, that are too close to urban areas or very busy roads. frequented by carsThese are areas where there is a risk of collecting products that have suffered the effects of thepollutionTo practice foraging, you should choose fields near orchards, vineyards, and olive groves. You can also go to boschi: without overdoing it in wild areas, where it is preferable not to collect wild herbs to eat.

What are alimurgic plants?

Few are accustomed to the term alimurgic plant, Yet in life we ​​often encounter them without even knowing it. This is the case of nettles, wild asparagus, dandelions, or thistles. Precisely those wild herbs that our grandparents collected in the countryside and then cooked into real delicacies. kilometer zeroThere are many edible wild herbs of this genus. Among the best known are:

Plants that we are used to seeing both in our countryside and on our tables.

How to collect wild herbs

Le wild herbs, depending on the species, can be born in the mountains, in the fields downstream or near the banks of a river. In order to carry out the foraging In fact, it's important to know the characteristics of the plants you intend to harvest. This is not only important for understanding the time of year when they can be found in the wild, but also for distinguishing them from non-edible plants. To attempt this outdoor foraging, all you need is a container large enough for the amount of herbs you intend to harvest and a sharp knife. Use the knife to cut the plant, taking care not to damage the stem. If done correctly, the plant will continue to grow.

foraging, cress, edible wild herbs

Benefits of foraging

 The experience of nature as well as immersing oneself in uncontaminated scenery is already a healthy touch for psycho-physical health of man. But if you add activities like foraging for wild fruits and herbs, it becomes even more engaging. Especially for children who, with their parents' guidance, can forage for blackberries, raspberries, or even learn to distinguish nettles from borage and edible plants from non-edible ones. This allows them to eat more naturally, learning to live in nature and in particular, rediscovering the beauty and satisfaction of foraging for food firsthand.
Among the benefits of foraging, we highlight:
  • Reduces oxidative stress
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Detoxify
  • Improves stress and anxiety
  • It has a diuretic function
  • Protects the cardiovascular system
  • Integrate a good balanced diet

What to watch out for

When foraging, you must first be careful not to destroy wild plants, not to damage the area where you're foraging, and not to overdo the quantities, so as to ensure the survival of the plants you've collected. Avoid areas that are even potentially contaminated, and don't touch anything in nature reserves. Another key concern is the possibility of poisonous herbs and plants: initially, it's a good idea to go with a guide and learn how to forage safely.

What do you eat when foraging?

Nature spontaneously offers edible plants, fruits, and herbs that everyone can consume. The choice is also very varied, although it depends on where you live. If you're in the countryside, you can find:

At the same time, in mountainous areas it is possible to come across raspberries, strawberries e fruits of the undergrowth. Not to mention chestnuts, flowers and wild berries, but be careful to recognize them.

Foraging and chefs

In recent years, in Europe as well as in Italy, a phenomenon has exploded among chefs who see their cuisines getting closer to nature and wild plants. In our country, the most significant shock was given by Valeria Mosca, an Italian researcher who decided to catalog and create recipes with wild herbsHis laboratory is in Brianza and is known as the Wooding Wild Food Lab. Here, you can participate in authentic tastings to discover new flavors and, above all, new recipes. Many chefs are now committed to this cause, and the use of a wide variety of mushrooms, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and plants continues to grow. Perhaps projecting a new vision of Italian cuisine and beyond for the future.

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