sgt.porter
Marksman
I know many of you will be out hunting for the fruit of the gods over the next few weeks, but most of you will limit your searching to nothing but those elusive morels.
Indiana woodlands offer an abundance of food and flavor just waiting to find it's way into your stomach.
Most people are so afraid of being poisoned that they are unwilling to try any wild food that is not a morel. The truth is though, very little of Indiana's wildlife can poison you, and most of what is safe to eat does not have a poisonous look-alike.
Here is one of my favorite wild flavors that i would encourage you to gather and try during this year's mushroom hunting season.
Wild Leeks:
Wild leeks are found in nearly all woodlands, are safe to eat, and provide more flavor than anything you will find in a grocery store.
This time of year, wild leeks resemble clusters of lily's without a flower. As long as you're in the woods and not in a ditch, field, or rail bed, these little clusters will be wild leeks.
Singly, wild leeks look like the stalk of a green onion, but with 2 to 5 wide grass like leaves.
If in doubt, pinch of a piece of the leaf and chew it up, if it tastes like a green onion with a hint of garlic, you've a wild leek.
To clean your wild leaks, run them under water, rinsing off any dirt they have collected. Running your fingers from the leaves to the bulb will remove the thin outer skin. Then cut them at the roots just like you would a green onion.
Wild leeks can be used in any dish that calls for onions or garlic, but use sparingly because they are very potent. Normally 2 wild leeks will replace the flavor of a whole small white onion.
Personally, I love the strength and flavor of wild leeks, and will eat them whole and raw alongside my supper.
In the early spring, wild leeks are very potent in flavor, some people find them too strong to eat. If you love onion flavors but found them too hot, wait till later in the spring. In late April, the bulb will start to swell and the flavor will become much milder and pleasant enough for most onion lovers.
Tonights wild leeks prepared for eating:
Although wild leeks are deemed safe to eat, I can not guarantee in any way that your body will accept them as food. Just like any new store bought food you try, wild food has a small chance of causing upset stomaches or unforeseen allergic reactions.
When trying any wild food for the first time you should only consume a small portion, wait at least 24 hours and if you have no adverse reactions, try a larger portion.
Indiana woodlands offer an abundance of food and flavor just waiting to find it's way into your stomach.
Most people are so afraid of being poisoned that they are unwilling to try any wild food that is not a morel. The truth is though, very little of Indiana's wildlife can poison you, and most of what is safe to eat does not have a poisonous look-alike.
Here is one of my favorite wild flavors that i would encourage you to gather and try during this year's mushroom hunting season.
Wild Leeks:
Wild leeks are found in nearly all woodlands, are safe to eat, and provide more flavor than anything you will find in a grocery store.
This time of year, wild leeks resemble clusters of lily's without a flower. As long as you're in the woods and not in a ditch, field, or rail bed, these little clusters will be wild leeks.
Singly, wild leeks look like the stalk of a green onion, but with 2 to 5 wide grass like leaves.
If in doubt, pinch of a piece of the leaf and chew it up, if it tastes like a green onion with a hint of garlic, you've a wild leek.
To clean your wild leaks, run them under water, rinsing off any dirt they have collected. Running your fingers from the leaves to the bulb will remove the thin outer skin. Then cut them at the roots just like you would a green onion.
Wild leeks can be used in any dish that calls for onions or garlic, but use sparingly because they are very potent. Normally 2 wild leeks will replace the flavor of a whole small white onion.
Personally, I love the strength and flavor of wild leeks, and will eat them whole and raw alongside my supper.
In the early spring, wild leeks are very potent in flavor, some people find them too strong to eat. If you love onion flavors but found them too hot, wait till later in the spring. In late April, the bulb will start to swell and the flavor will become much milder and pleasant enough for most onion lovers.
Tonights wild leeks prepared for eating:
Although wild leeks are deemed safe to eat, I can not guarantee in any way that your body will accept them as food. Just like any new store bought food you try, wild food has a small chance of causing upset stomaches or unforeseen allergic reactions.
When trying any wild food for the first time you should only consume a small portion, wait at least 24 hours and if you have no adverse reactions, try a larger portion.
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They are all over the place out here in Brownsburg.
