After what has been a very mild March here in the Green Mountains of Vermont, those first springtime edible plants are just starting to poke through the recently thawed ground. Although the edible plants and fungi are few and far between right now, there is still a lot to be discovered on any given wander about the wilds here in VT.
Discoveries from my first spring time wander about the mountains
Being in northern Vermont, there is quite a delay to the start of the foraging season. On a recent walk through the forests near Camel’s Hump, I was delighted to find the first plants and fungus to forage for the season. Although most of these edible wild foods were not quite ready to be harvested, it is still always a welcome sight.
Wild Leek
The first, most notable discovery was that of the wild leek. Also known as a ramp, these wonderful edible plants were just starting to poke through down in Huntington, VT. The ramp is surely one of most delicious wild edible plants we have in New England, with their chive like garlicy onion flavor, and their bright spring-green leaves, you can’t go wrong throwing these into any dish. Notice the purple sheathes the fresh new greens are sprouting from. Check out my ramp page here for more information on I.D. and cooking with the wild leek.
Witch’s Butter
Witch’s butter is a curious fungus. Available to forage all year round, this fungus is most often found on recently fallen branches. While it is technically edible, it is entirely flavorless with a strange chewy-like texture. There is some research being done on the possible medicinal benefits of this strange fungus. I hope to do a whole page dedicated to this jelly fungus in the near future, and often will take small bites when I find it in the wilds.
Coltsfoot
Coltsfoot is one of my favorite early spring flowers. I like how it is always the first real flower to surface after (or even before) the snow melts. It is so hardy it is regularly seen growing out of sand or gravel on the side of the road. It has long been used as a folk remedy to suppress a cough. However, there is some controversy on whether the coltsfoot may have some toxic chemicals. It’s beautiful yellow flower is often confused with a dandelion, but a quick look at the stem will show how different the two really are.
Chaga
Of course there is always the good ol’ reliable Chaga out there to harvest. Early spring is a good time to locate this medicinal fungus, before the trees all leaf out and obscure the view of birch trunks. Learn how to make chaga tea here!
