Wild Garlic

[mattdaniels]

There was a lamb recipe on Saturday Kitchen this morning using wild garlic. Is it easy to get hold of in supermarkets? A quick search says no.

[DocJock]

No, but you'll find it in abundance beside any stream if you go for a walk.

[mattdaniels]

Hmmm, that may not end well for me.

[bint]

No idea what part of the country you're in, but there's masses of it growing in the woods and grounds of the local estate (big house type, not chav type) near me in Swindon.

Where's the recipe from as I've always wondered what to do with it.

[Shaw Tarse]

bint said:

Where's the recipe from as I've always wondered what to do with it.

Here http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/programmes/b006v5y2

[Mobile Chicane]

It's everywhere at the the moment. Although I'm on chalky soil which may help.



Use it like chives. I'm going to make some into a pesto to enliven a planned nettle soup.

[mattdaniels]

Yep it was pesto in the recipe I saw today (posted above).

Just need to find some.

[craigjm]

DocJock said:

No, but you'll find it in abundance beside any stream if you go for a walk.

This

[Odie]

mattdaniels said:

Hmmm, that may not end well for me.

Its easy to find, it stinks of garlic.

[Mobile Chicane]

Where are you?

There's loads of it along the North Downs Way at Box Hill at the moment.

[66comanche]

It's everywhere OP, just go to any wood and you will find stloads! Buying it would be insane.

[Mobile Chicane]

66comanche said:

It's everywhere OP, just go to any wood and you will find stloads! Buying it would be insane.

If it's even for sale... Never seen it, even at my local Waitrose, which sells samphire.

[randlemarcus]

Foraging for the leaves is legal if they don't belong to someone in particular, but be aware of two things:

1. Picking the bulbs of wild garlic, or any wild flower is illegal, and folks have been prosecuted in the past
2. Make damned sure its wild garlic As stated above, its not tricky, as it stinks of garlic, but you need to be careful that you get that, and not some noxious herbs.

[mattdaniels]

randlemarcus said:

# Make damned sure its wild garlic As stated above, its not tricky, as it stinks of garlic, but you need to be careful that you get that, and not some noxious herbs.

This is why it may not end well for me. Google said it's easily mistaken for lil of the valley, which is poisonous.

[Stoatman]

I've picked it loads of times and i'm far from an expert. As suggested previously it stinks of Garlic. If further in doubt crush a leaf and the odour will blow your socks off.

[hondafanatic]

Don't pick the stuff nearest the path, try and reach for stuff much further back and give it a really good wash.

[Mobile Chicane]

mattdaniels said:

This is why it may not end well for me. Google said it's easily mistaken for lil of the valley, which is poisonous.

No chance.

Lily of the valley won't appear until May / June, while the wild garlic is out now.

Follow the picture I've posted above and you can't go wrong - there is literally nothing else like it in appearance, the final clincher being the garlic smell.

[craigjm]

You can buy it dried if you are really worried

http://www.violey.com/en/lebensbaum-organic-wild-g...

You can also buy the seeds to grow at home if you wish so you know what you are getting

http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/garden-shop/seeds/...

[Chim Girl]

Inspired by this thread and the fact that I have lamb in the fridge, I'm heading out to Box Hill.

Matt, assuming I can collect enough, I'll happily post some to you in the morning. From experience, it'll be fine in a sealed container for 24hours or so.

[Shaw Tarse]

Chim Girl said:

Inspired by this thread and the fact that I have lamb in the fridge, I'm heading out to Box Hill.

Matt, assuming I can collect enough, I'll happily post some to you in the morning. .

nice to see a PHer doing a godd deed for another.