I seem to have found it hard over May to shake the malaise that accompanies a bout of 'teetering on the brink of' depression. [I also found it very hard to write that 'D' word then too.]
However, I am here now, albeit with a fairly brief post. (I realised I was missing posting stuff as I can get so het up in these massively long and wordy missives laden with fairly dull photographs that they take so long to write they never get completed.)
So - that's the 'apology/explanation' bit done - now I have a question or two for us.
I am coming up fairly short on recipes for same on t'internet though so wondered if anyone else had any ideas? The Plants For A Future page seems to have the most handy information I've seen so far - just from a very small amount of googling this morning. Interestingly it also includes cultivation info - may just be worth a try. I might recommend it to my Ma as well as several other sites suggested that it works to deter deer from your garden. She suffers from the deer that live in the woods opposite coming and eating all her pansy flowers in the front window boxes each year - they very neatly just take the flowers which understandably does vex her rather!
Lastly I gathered some 'Jack by the Hedge' (garlic mustard) a couple of day back and made a vaguely Greek style pie with it in. I shall endeavour to post that later or in the next day or so but - I will not treat it as a 'fail' if I don't.
Today (here in the UK) it's Father's Day. Dad was 'got' by cancer in 2005 and I think of him every single day. Often that is what gets me moving when that malaise tries to descend; the sense of not wanting to let him down and still to show I can do my best. Anyway, I thought I'd share this picture of my parents getting married back in 1969. It's not the best pic but it sits on my mantelshelf alongside one of my mother at 21 and I love it. Look at Ma's hemline!!!
Hi Ruth :-)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely navelwort. As far as you can tell from pictures on the internet, I'd be very confident that's navelwort. The leaves vary in size enormously, so don't be alarmed that they're not navel-sized. I always thought the name referred to the fact they're kind of puckered in the middle, anyway.
It may not be the best time of year to pick them - I'm finding them a little too bitter by now - but you could still get an idea of the flavour, and come back in late winter, when fresh greens are most valuable.
Thank you! I must admit most pages I saw said the name was because it looked like a navel but that one site had me worried! Loving all the wild food on your page. :-)
DeleteNow, I thought that Rosy Garlic was the pink heads that come from France in spring, so you have taught me something new, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI was unaware of Navelwort, looking forward to hearing what you did with it.
Garlic Mustard - how do you use it in a pie, the whole thing or just the leaves?
Your parents look so young, it was three years after my first wedding...
Oh - perhaps they use 'rosy garlic' for that too - just to confuse matters!
DeleteI haven't tried the navelwort yet as I wasn't sure what it was when we saw it but thanks to Rachel's help above I will give it a go.
For the pie I just used the leaves though the flowers are also edible though I've not tried them yet.
They'd have been (quick maths) 24 and 22. Awww... :-)
I'm really not good at identifying plants but I'm sure I've seen some rosy garlic somewhere recently. I'm definitely looking out for it now. I think that's a lovely picture - I would have guessed that it was 69 or near that date. Unfortunately I remember it quite well.
ReplyDeleteI understand how difficult it is to use the 'D' word, but you're among friends here. Be good to yourself.
Thank you Phil. :-)
DeleteGo find that plant!!