foraging

Foraging for a Viable Food Source

Dan This Land of Ours

foragingCathy Isom has some interesting tips on foraging for a pesky weed that’s also a viable food source. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.

Foraging for a Viable Food Source

There is one dark leafy green that crops up everywhere and has a common misperception of being a weed. It’s called a plantain –  and it’s something you may want to get to know as it’s an easily identifiable source of free food and likely to be growing at a roadside or lawn near you.

This invasive grower also takes little or no effort to cultivate. Plantains grow as rosettes, meaning a cluster of leaves in a circle pattern around a shared center (like a rose.) The rosettes are close to the ground, and the leaves tend to be narrower near the stem, widening out towards the middle, and moving back to a tip. It is a relative of spinach and shows some similar qualities.

It is especially noted as a good source of protein, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Vitamin E. Plantain also has important minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium in significant quantities. While it can be eaten raw, plantain doesn’t have the best reputation for being tasty this way. Most connoisseurs prefer to cook the leaves until they’re tender.

I’m Cathy Isom…