Coastal Foraging, Seabeet Detox Smoothie, Suggested Readings and more...
Summertime foraging tips for outdoor and food lovers
Good Morning from a sunshine filled Emerald Isle,
As promised, the last Friday of each month will be packed full of foraging tips and tricks. Summer is here and we are just about ready to dip our toes into the seaweed filled shores.
In this month’s newsletter you will find:
Coastal Foraging Tips and Tricks for Beginners
Foraging for Seaweed
6 Wild Edible Plants by the sea
Wild Recipe: Sweet SeaBeet Detox Smoothie Recipe
Food for thought: What I have been reading in the last few weeks
An opinionated piece about why I think we could live longer, happier and healthier if we developed a Pick your own culture here in Europe
A poem titled ‘Walking in Somebody Else’s Shoes’
Coastal Foraging for Beginners
Grab your bucket and spade, we are ready to explore the coastlines, from cockles and mussels alive alive oh...Coastal treasures are waiting to be discovered! Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure like no other? Imagine strolling along the Atlantic coastline, discovering the freshest foods just waiting to be plucked from nature's pantry.
Coastal foraging, the age-old practice of gathering food from the shores, is a truly captivating experience that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you yearning for more.
What makes coastal foraging so extraordinary is that the most delicious sources of vitamins and calcium are right at your toes, hiding in plain sight you might say. Oh course what you will find varies depending on where you are in the world but once you are close to the waters edge, there is usually something edible hanging about. From succulent clams to plump mussels and an assortment of seaweeds as far as the eye can see, the coastal treats are truly inspiring for any budding chefs in the world. But here's the best part: the seafood you gather will be remarkably fresher than anything you could ever find at a mundane supermarket.</p>
As you venture out into the sea air, you'll soon discover that coastal foraging is not just a feast for the palate, but also a nourishing experience for your well-being. We like to think of all foraging activities as a mindful way to spend some time outdoors but embracing the sea breeze to pick some mouthwatering wild foods is extra special.
We like to dip into enchanting rock pools, walk alongside the dramatic cliffs, and search for sea buckthorn in the sand dunes, during low tide.
The most popular items to forage for include cockles, mussels, winkles and razor clams.
Tips when Coastal foraging
Prioritize Safety: Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings, keeping an eye on tides and potential hazards. Be cautious when navigating slippery rocks or venturing into unknown areas.
Sustainable Practices: Only gather what you need and avoid overharvesting to maintain the delicate balance of coastal ecosystems. Respect local regulations and guidelines to ensure the longevity of these precious resources.
Species Identification: Familiarize yourself with local flora and fauna to distinguish between edible treasures and protected species. Consult reputable sources or local experts for accurate identification.
Leave No Trace: As an eco-conscious forager, ensure you leave the coastal environment as pristine as you found it. Dispose of any waste responsibly and refrain from disturbing habitats or damaging delicate marine ecosystems.
Learn from Experts: Consider joining guided foraging tours or workshops led by experienced foragers. Their knowledge and expertise can enhance your understanding of coastal ecosystems and enrich your foraging endeavors.
Seasonal Awareness: Different seasons yield varied foraging opportunities. Research and understand the seasonal availability of different species in your chosen coastal region to optimize your harvest.
Respect Wildlife: Remember that coastal areas are home to a diverse range
FORAGING FOR SEAWEEDS
Over 700 species of seaweed can be found in Irish/UK waters. Seaweeds aka marine algae, can be a mixture of green, brown and red in color. They exist is salty, hostile spaces like the coast lines of Europe. Many will attach themselves to rocks along the shore. The most popular edible seaweeds include Laver (AKA Nori), Dulse, Sea Lettuce, Carrageen Moss, Sea Spaghetti, Sugar Kelp, BladderWrack and Pepper Dulse. Our advice is always to go foraging with elders or experts who have experience foraging for the seaweeds and shellfish available.
NOTE: Never pull all of the seaweeds off the rocks. This is similar to uprooting a whole plant. Use a sharp foraging knife or scissors to cut off small pieces, allowing the seaweed room for regrowth.
Tips for Seaweed Foraging
Choose live seaweeds and avoid decomposing seaweeds - Generally, it's recommended to gather live seaweeds that are still attached to rocks. However, after a big storm, healthy fresh seaweeds from deeper waters may wash up, and you can use your judgment to determine their quality. Stay clear of anything that smell a funny. Decomposing seaweeds stink!
Be mindful of pollution - Consider the water quality and pollution levels in the area where you plan to forage in. Avoid picking from stagnant water, rockpools that aren't regularly refreshed, busy harbors, fishing ports, and similar areas. Check with the Environmental Protection Agency for unbiased information on water quality.
Beware of toxic algae blooms: During summer, toxic algae blooms can occur, posing a health risk. Stay informed about any reported toxic algae blooms in the area you intend to forage. Exercise caution and avoid seaweed harvesting during such times.
Check for background radiation: While rare, it's prudent to be aware of the possibility of background radiation in coastal areas. Stay informed about any advisories or reports regarding radiation levels. The Environmental Protection Agency can provide relevant information on this matter as well.
Be cautious of slippery rocks and tides: Seaweed foraging often involves navigating slippery rocks and dealing with unpredictable tides. Prioritize your safety by staying alert and following these precautions:
Consult tide tables before heading out to ensure you're aware of the tide movements and timings.
If uncertain, walk between rocks rather than on top of them to minimize the risk of slipping.
Look for non-slip barnacles or other stable surfaces to support your footing.
Always sheath your knife or scissors when moving to prevent accidental injuries.
Health benefits of eating seaweeds
Seaweed offers a myriad of health benefits. Its high iodine content promotes optimal thyroid function, essential for hormone regulation. This prevents various symptoms associated with an underactive thyroid, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and high cholesterol. Seaweed is a rich source of vitamins A and C, surpassing broccoli in calcium levels, and can be beneficial for treating osteoarthritis.
It boasts potent antioxidants that combat inflammation and help fight ailments like cancer, asthma, and obesity. Additionally, seaweed aids in regulating estrogen and estradiol levels, reducing the risk of breast cancer. With its high protein content, comparable to legumes, seaweed provides a valuable protein source. Lastly, its soluble fiber content supports healthy digestion by forming a gel in the gut, slowing down digestion, and inhibiting the absorption of sugars and cholesterol.
By following these useful tips, you can enhance your seaweed foraging experience while prioritizing your safety and the quality of the seaweeds you gather. Enjoy the adventure and the bounty that the ocean has to offer!
6 Wild Edible Plants by the Sea
When people think of Coastal Foraging they often only consider the varieties of seaweeds and shellfish on offer but believe us, the wild edible plants growing by the seaside will give you plenty of food for thought. Conditions by the coast can make it difficult for some commonly found plants to survive. Strong winds and high tides are no match for these sturdy plants.
Here are just a few of our favourite wild edible plants to forage for by the sea:
Sea Beet
First and foremost is the dark green wild plant of Sea beet. This healthy green will greet you alongside sandy and rocky beaches across Europe. Like spinach the leaves can be added to stir-fry’s, used as a bed for your fish dishes and are a delicious vitamin full addition to your breakfast smoothies.
Ox Eye Daisies
You can’t miss this friendly edible plant. In the past Ox Eye Daisies were used to treat coughs, asthma, ulcers and to clear sinus problems. It is a diuretic and a tonic. The flowers can be pickled or covered in batter and the young leaves can be used in a summer salad.
Sea Radish
Looking for a homegrown supply of tasty greens to add to salads and dishes than sea radish is a great alternative source of greens that can be foraged all year round. This yellow headed grows in coastal areas and shines brightly in the summer months. The leaves work well in pesto recipes and the small pods are a great addition to summer salads.
Yarrow
Be careful not to confuse yarrow for other poisonous plants such as hemlock. Both have white heads for flowers but there are two distinguishing features of Yarrow to look out for. First the glimpses of yellow in the flower heads and next the unmistakable fern-like leaves. They usually grow in groups and pop up in wasteland, countryside trails and along coastal pathways.
Sea Rocket
This coastal friend is a member of the mustard family. With great amounts of Potassium, calcium and Vitamin B this plant can provide a welcome boost to the immune system and all parts of the sea rocket plant are edible. This wild plant holds water and its hard, fleshy leaves make it easier to withstand any harsh coastal climate. Herbalists love to speak about the health benefits of this common wild plant.
Wild Recipe: Sweet SeaBeet Detox Smoothie Recipe
Packed full of iron, Vitamin C and healthy goodness, this easy detox smoothie is the perfect way to cleanse and repair your body after any long weekend.
We often forage for sea beet, using it as a natural substitute for greens in stir-fry’s, stews and more but on one Sunday filled with sunshine we were inspired to create this delicious smoothie that is now a monthly fixture in our ever growing plant based recipe list.
Never tried and tested making homemade smoothies before? Don’t fear, this is probably one of the easiest recipes to start with. Here is the short list of ingredients and a few useful tips when you plan to forage for this healthy plant.
INGREDIENTS
Three cups of freshly picked Sea Beet leaves
Two large pears
The juice from half of one lemon
Grated Ginger
Crushed mint leaves (just a few)
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
This is pretty easy. Wash your ingredients thoroughly. Cut off the stems from your sea beet leaves and chop into thin slices. Peel your pears carefully (save the skins and add them as a decoration in the end), finely grate a small cube of ginger. Slice a lemon in half. Now you are ready to put it all together. Blend these ingredients until smooth. After you have gotten rid of the lumps add a few ice cubes and 3 – 4 mint leaves. Blend gently for two minutes. Tadaa you have made your very own detox smoothie. Enjoy!
HOW TO PICK SEA BEET
Sea beet is a seaside plant we love to forage for all year round. It is easy to identify and will pop up at the edges of beaches in small bundles. Never pull the plant from the root. If you are picking sea beet just snip a small amount of the leaves and the rest will replenish itself.
Always wear gloves when you are out foraging and make sure to wash the leaves thoroughly before using them in any recipes.
We hope that you enjoy this easy sea beet detox smoothie and hope to see you soon for some foraging adventures.
Enjoy the fruits of your own labor: The Case for a Pick Your Own Culture in Europe
Back in 2013 I packed a suitcase and headed for British Columbia, not knowing how much the culture of outdoor living would have a longer-term impact on my consideration for the natural world. This organic affiliation with outdoor spaces was both inspiring and thought-provoking.
Why were the people of Canada so in tune with outdoor recreation? The climate certainly had an impact as the summer months allowed for the production of fruit varieties that would be the envy of many countries. Another factor was the close connection between the public and the farms/orchard operators.
Fast forward 10 years to 2023 and two failed start-ups to cater to those who wanted to connect with nature and food and here I am rambling about the same passion for picking fruit, wild foods and connecting with nature.
Last year I wrote an article about the issues facing our future food supplies if producers continue to ignore the trends pointing towards a green-focused economy. This article discussed the fragmented approach to food production and distribution, identifying key areas of improvement and future ways that we could consider using technology to enhance transparency within our manufacturing processes.
What are pick-your-own farms?
Pick-your-own farms, also known as “U-pick” or “PYO” farms, are farms where visitors can go to pick their own produce, such as fruits, vegetables, or berries, directly from the fields. These farms provide an opportunity for people to experience agriculture and learn about where their food comes from. They also offer the freshest, local ingredients and an alternative to supermarket chains that often bring in produce shipped from around the world.
Many pick-your-own farms have different types of products available at different times of the year. Additionally, many farms offer extra activities, such as wine tasting, pumpkin picking, jam making, petting zoos and family days out.
Why should we cultivate a pick-your-own culture in Europe?
Pick-your-own farms typically operate seasonally, which is another reason to love them. What happened to wait until it was berry season to pick berries, holding out for Autumn to get the best chanterelles or making apple tart in September when the kids go back to school? The food we eat is undoubtedly connected with our family traditions and identity. Increased demand for a year-round supply of all foods from everywhere threatens the very enjoyment of eating, tasting, and valuing the foods we grow up alongside.
There are many positive reasons to foster a love for picking locally grown food. From building a sustainable future to supporting local businesses to eating the freshest ingredients, the list is endless. Being closer to nature is now even prescribed by doctors in South Korea, the US and Finland with 5 hours as the minimum time per month recommended by some doctors in Finland. However, the common benefit for all who engage in pick-your-own activities is the sense of community.
By establishing pick-your-own farms and encouraging pick-your-own activities, a way of life develops within a community. Not only are traditional foods of a region preserved, but the outdoor lifestyle is also preserved and that feeling of attachment to a place or region is more firmly rooted as many people increasingly spend time attached to new ways of interacting and new virtual work patterns. A sense of community is what binds the notion of identity together.
The act of picking fruit at the weekends becomes a ritual, firmly engrained in community life.
Grow Local, Pick Local
If you already have the GIY ‘Grow it Yourself’ bug then pick-your-own farms that offer the chance to immerse yourself in the land will be right up your street.
Locally sourced food is the freshest kind you will find. Just consider the long distances traveled by food that reaches our supermarket shelves. Better tracking of our food supply chains will help us to understand the impact the origin of food has on our natural environments.
Another reason to canvas for a pick-your-own culture is to support local farmers and food lovers. By purchasing local food you are feeding the local economy ad helping to build a sustainable future for smaller farmers.
A major reason why I chose to write about local food, foraging and fixing our supply chains is to research the impact our food consumption is having on the environments where this food is sourced. Picking local and increasing our understanding of local food availability can help to reduce our carbon footprint and prevent unnecessary long-distance transportation of food.
Pick-your-own farms are not very established in Europe. However, there is a growing interest in the development of rural tourism and green initiatives that encourage a newfound appreciation for locally grown produce. This list is not exhaustive but it does include a few key places that have established pick-your-own activities. If you know of any farms or would like to connect us with farmers who offer the opportunity to pick your own produce we would be delighted to list them and to get to know more about them so please put them in touch with me.
A list of u-pick farms in Europe
