DISCOVERING NATURE’S LARDER
words: Rachael Phillips
When I was asked whether I would like to spend a day with hedgerow guru and author Adele Nozedar and go foraging in the mountains of Wales, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. If I’m honest I was expecting to meet a full on woo-woo hippy who would have me grubbing about on the ground to find anything that could be consumed.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. Instead I spent time with a truly fascinating woman who took me on an adventure to find a variety of tasty treats which were not only flavoursome but also had health benefits like increasing energy and warding off colds.
We started our adventure at the Bleanavon Heritage Centre where we were greeted by Steve Rogers and Alvin Nicholas of the Forgotten Landscapes Project which focuses on the development of the Blaenavon area as a recognised visitor destination. Having been brought up in the Newport area I was shocked to see so much undiscovered history and beautiful landscapes practically on my doorstep.
We were then directed to Clydach Gorge where we were to begin our foraging, which, for those uninitiated, is essentially finding food from nature. Hedgerows are a unique and distinct feature throughout the British landscape and if you take a closer look you’ll find a diverse range of plants, most of which you can eat. So one of the principal rules was to look down to see what was beneath our feet.
Within the first few steps we found sorrel, our first edible plant. Adele picked out a piece and invited me to taste. To my surprise (and trust me, the thought of dogs peeing around the area did cross my mind) it had the most delicious lemon flavour. I learned that the leaves can be added to salads, pureed to make soups and sauces or even create hibiscus tea. You can also find it in most gardens.
As we wandered through the gorge and down towards Devils Bridge, we found a whole host of different leaves and berries that could be turned in to food. We even found two randomly scattered Brussel sprouts. Apparently these are not the usual foraging find, but if the supernatural stories that Alvin told us before we left were anything to believe, there was definitely something spooky going on.
Two things which we were on the hunt for but didn’t manage to find were ransoms (wild garlic) and nettles. These are some of the most popular foraging items. The ethical aspect of foraging and how damaging to the environment it can be was one concern that I had, although Adele did a lot to relieve these worries explaining that her ethos is based around respecting the environment and showing gratitude to what you’re taking from the land. She has a few simple rules, such as she never reaches up to get anything and only takes what she needs. Her foraging activities are based on essentials rather than greed, and this is something which needs to be adhered to so that the environment is protected.
We also discussed the dangers of picking foods, we are so used to using supermarkets which have goods readily packaged that we don’t all have the skill to know what out there is good or potentially bad for us. A lot of plants can look very similar but have completely different effects so it’s essential that anyone interested going out and feeding themselves from nature know what they are looking for.
Foraging has so many benefits not only for your wallet but for your health. Just outside your door you have access to fresh, vitamin-packed foods. You don’t need to live in the countryside to benefit from this free lunch as foraging can take place in towns, cities or even your garden. Next time you take the dog for a walk or you see a hedgerow, take a look, you’ll be surprised at what you find.
Adele Nozedar’s book, Hedgerow Handbook, published by Square Peg, is available online and in all good bookshops. Info: www.adelenozedar.com
