Backyard foraging 65 familiar plants you didn't know you could eat

Sixty-five familiar plants you didn't know you could eat are the stars of this impressively comprehensive guide by horticulturist Zachos, who stresses the ease and elegance of foraging familiar plants greens, fruits, nuts, seeds, tubers, and fungi in yards and nearby environs. Safety first is the mantra when harvesting in the hood, Zachos instructs. She also provides a section on such necessary tools of the trade as bypass pruners and canning jars. She fully describes the categorically arranged 65 plants, from bamboo to redbud and ginkgo, providing how-to discussions on harvesting and preparation. Eye-catching sidebars on legality, quick plant identification, food-preparation tips, and more accompany the main text, which is abundantly illustrated with full-color photos throughout. Back matter includes instructions on freezing and dehydration and recipes for syrups, jams, alcoholic beverages ( Dandelion wine is the color of sunshine ), baked goods, and savory dishes.--Scott, Whitney Copyright 2010 Booklist

Foraging is all the culinary rage these days, but the idea of harvesting backyard `shrooms for use in store-bought pasta and salads may be off putting to those scared of severe hallucinations. But Zachos, who leads foraging walks and teaches at the New York Botanical Garden, ushers the reader safely through the foliage where ants and beetles roam and into the enlightened land, where sheep sorrel, chickweed, dandelion, sumac, and prickly pear become edible parts on the most discerning palate. Unfamiliar edibles are described at length, with instructions for their harvest and preparation time when cooking. With such wholesome food comes also vindication: our parents really were wrong when they said we couldn't eat acorns. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.