There is a park near a nature reserve nearby where I discovered what turned out to be wild garlic last year! So this year I wanted to pick some and use it in our Greek briam stew. Oooh, wild garlic, how… wild! How exciting!
So off I went to forage in the woods. I was afraid I might feel greedy, picking from an already wilting crop – after all, this is an urban area. I did not have to feel guilty: the woods were covered in exquisite white flowers: a wild abundance of allium ursinum, bear leek, wood garlic!
So I washed and added the leaves for just a short amount of time at the end of the cooking time, and the flowers for decoration- you can eat them, too!
Will definitely eat them again- they add a depth to a dish that is hard to describe. Lovely!
The Company of Spirits 
How fun Wendy. I love foraging wild foods but don’t do it often.
I had lots of fun (and strange looks from passers-by, haha) They were absolutely lovely in the stew, too.
Unfortunately, a search on the interwebz told me that in the Netherlands (contrary to some other European countries) they are a protected species! So I ordered some to plant in my mom’s garden so we can have our own garlicy paradise – and I will stick to foraging stinging nettles 😉
Update: it appears the wild garlic is no longer a protected species since 2017! So I will gather some more – respectfully, of course ☺
Oh yummy and so beautiful!!! Love eating wild. Such a good feeling. It encourages independence. Glad you found such a great stash to enjoy! What time is dinner? VK ❤
Oooh yes, they are yummy and the taste is incredible!! Even better because it does feel like connecting with my hunter-gatherer roots! Dinner is served, come on over! ♥
On my way 🙂
So lovely to be reconnecting here again with you Wendy, and nothing quite like foraging in the woods and eating her bounties freshly picked.. Wonderful 🙂
Oh it’s so nice to hear from you again Sue! Yes it is such a great feeling, we call it ”wildplukken” in Dutch, or ”wild picking” 😉 It really makes me feel more attuned to Nature… and the taste is fantastic! Of course they can be grown in the garden, too! ♥
Yes we grow garlic, but wild garlic is a bonus.. And love the aroma on a damp day in the woods lol. So good to be catching up with you again. I was just on Amazon UK and looking to purchase your book Curse of the Tahiéra, Sounds just my kind of book… 🙂
Hee hee, I always love the aroma of garlic … I must have Italian roots somewhere lol ☺ How lovely, I would love to hear what you think of my book-child! I think you willl like my shaman Yldich, he has a great sense of humour☺
I am sure I will Wendy, and cannot wait to dive deep into the tale.. 🙂