10 reviews for Edible Wild Plants for Beginners: The Essential Edible Plants and Recipes to Get Started: Althea Press: 9781623152512: Paperback $12.66
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★★★★★
Gail Piernas-Davenport –
Ever been camping and wondered what around you was safe for consumption? Even if you’ve just looked in your backyard and been curious if anything growing there could be used to spice up your next meal, this book is a must read!This book was a very easy and informative read, especially for those that might be “botanically challenged” like myself. Not only are there important safety tips on how to properly harvest, transport and store the plants you come across, but also useful recipes are included for when you’re ready to start cooking your plants. Be sure to include this book on your “to bring” checklist when preparing for your next nature outing!
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★★★★★
Lia Brigante –
This book explains – with photos – common edible wild plants that can be tasty but which you will probably NOT find in your local supermarket. These are plants that have to be “foraged” for – found – by walking in your local woods or parks.The book is very comprehensive, explaining in great detail all kinds of edible wild plants and flowers – including what to avoid! – as well as how to “forage,” i.e. what equipment to take along, as well as how to cultivate your own garden of wild edibles, should you prefer to go no further than your backyard for a bunch of “ramps” – wild onions.Interest about this subject could be created among people who love vegetables and want to open up their “repertoire” of what they normally eat; and it could provide very interesting science projects in schools where the teachers would be allowed to go on field trips with their students, gather the plants, and then demonstrate how to prepare and eat them. This could open up a whole new world, particularly for inner-city students whose knowledge of vegetables is limited to what’s in the supermarkets, perhaps creating our next generation of expert botanists!The book is informative, entertaining, and enticing.
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★★★★★
Linda Foley –
Edible Wild Plants by Althea PressOur ancestors found dozens of edible wild plants to add to meat and fish. “Edible Wild Plants” makes it easy for modern-day man to safely forage for foods in the wild. This informative, engaging book is a must-have for anyone that enjoys vegetables and fruits and is looking for more variety than the limited selection in the market. Covering dozens of plants, it describes the edible parts of each plant including photos to aid in identification. It also offers information on creating your own “wild edible plant” garden, mouth-watering recipes for each plant, and about the medicinal properties found in parts of some edible, wild plants. This valuable book should be taken along anytime you are hiking or camping.
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★★★★★
Erica Glessing –
When I think about edible wild foods, I remember back to the nasturtiums in my mom’s salads but the book Edible Wild Plants for Beginners tells a lot more about how to find and identify wild foods that are safe and tasty. One of the ideas I liked from the book was to look for fruit growing on hiking trails – someone might have tossed an apple or pear core some years back! If I had to choose one piece of the entire book that stood out, it was the universal edibility test. This is vital when you are foraging for wild foods! I won’t give it all away, but you will want to go in and test the juice of anything you’re going to ingest first! The book also gives you some exceptional tips on back yard wild foods that you may not even know you have growing right under your feet in the chapter on backyard edible food. Happy reading.
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★★★★★
Lori Clough –
Very comprehensive information regarding wild plants that are edible. Very easy to read and understand. Book gave a complete history of how long humans have been eating wild edible plants.I found it very useful for distinguishing between good edible plants and the ones that could make you very sick or worse. These wild edible plants have not been changed and are very natural. The naturally found nutrients are not altered by chemicals or cultivation in any way.Great information on where to look for, types and identifying characteristics of edible wild plants, in plain language. I didnt feel like I had to have any prior knowledge or experience regarding edible wild plants. The book also broke down the exact parts of edible wild plants that can be eaten and the other parts of the same plant to stay away from. Also, if the plant can be safely eaten raw or if needed to be cooked.This is a great book for a beginner like myself. I was not disappointed with all the information this book contained
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★★★★★
lindsye –
Edible Wild Plants for Beginners is positively inspirational. It delivers exactly what the title indicates, offering a solid overview of wild plants, the basics of foraging for wild food, a great beginners guide to some common edible plants, and a fantastic collection of recipes. I’ve always been a little nervous about collecting and eating plants from the wild, but this book has been a great place to start learning what to look out for and how to test for adverse reactions. I also love the plant profiles that explain (with pictures) what specific plants look like and when/where to harvest them. In addition, the profiles include cautionary advice that ranges from how certain plants will take over gardens to what dangerous species look similar to certain edible species.I’m very excited about the recipe section of the book as well. It covers some amazing ideas for meals using wild plants, as well as teas and remedies I can’t wait to try.Though the writing is far from poetic, this book has been a wonderful starting point. As I delve further into foraging, cooking, and maybe even gardening with wild plants, I will certainly purchase more specific, in-depth guides, but I’m glad I began here.
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★★★★★
Amazon Customer –
I’m newly interested in learning to find edible plants and got this as a gift. I’ve been impressed by the step-by-step approach given by the author not only to learning about the usable parts of plants – but, how to test / taste them. My suggestion to improve plant identification as, noted in the book, would be to show illustrations with the plant as a whole – and also a grouping of leaves – flowers. A guide to measurement of the size of the plants would be helpful on the picture itself. The notations and references seem to be quite extensive although might be more helpful if listed at the ends of chapters – or if footnotes were added for specific topic reference. This book has truly sparked my curiosity to learn more and gives me some avenues to follow. I cannot say enough positives about the variety and quality of the recipes – worth a buy for those alone!
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Chava LeBarton –
I live in Southern California where there is an abundance of hiking trails and campgrounds and I’ve always known that many of the indigenous plants I see here are edible. I discovered from this book that around 500 Native American Indian tribes foraged for food from thousands of wild plants, but I’ve always been afraid to try the berries and nuts and even leaves, flowers and bark that look like food to me, thinking they could be toxic. So my favorite section of the book is chapter four, which actually tells us how to test the roots, stems, leaves, berries and other plant parts by using the “Universal Edibility Test,” which offers simple techniques like rubbing the juice on your inner wrist and holding plant parts to your lips for a few minutes to see if you get a reaction before trying the taste test. The process takes quite awhile, but will keep us wild plant want-to-eaters safe.This book also teaches how identify (and avoid) the distinctive warning features of poisonous plants that make them easy to recognize. There is a great deal of useful information in the book, such as knowing when to forage for and harvest wild plants, what part of day to gather leaves, understanding the changing chemical composition of plants, what tools to use and how to cut the plants, how to carry them, clean them and store them, how to be ethical while foraging, how to protect yourself from predators or bears, how to plant a garden of wild edibles and even how to cook the different parts of your wild plants. To top it off, the book also offers some great sounding recipes, like Garlic Mustard, Prickly Pear Pink Lemonade and Elderberry Dumplings. The photos of numerous edible wild plants are perfect and I love the appendix of Ten Steps to Making Tinctures. Some very good online and print resources are also included. I can’t say enough about this terrific book that is a must-have for anyone interested in foraging for wild edibles or who already forages.
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★★★★★
TONY F. L.A. –
I found myself many times saying out loud “how interesting'” when reading this book. If one enjoys the connection us humans share with our world and the importance of what we eat than this is a must read. Filled with compelling information and written in great detail, it plays as both cookbook and dictionary making it the perfect item to be on shelf. The edible plant profiles (Chapter 6) are put together so well. Useful and intriguing information is given and the images of each plant are shot beautifully. While reading I received much motivation to go out and begin my wild plant-picking journey. The recipes offered are unique and healthy, who wouldn’t want to have wild violet loaf cake! All in all, it is a unique recipe book that serves also as an educational experience.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
MGSAB –
Edible Wild Plants for beginners gives those who are interested in further exploring this topic all the information they will need from outlining wild plants that humans can eat, how to identify such plants, and how to use these plants in recipes. Additionally, this publication informs the reader about how to identify toxic plants and how to ensure that one could tolerate the various parts of wild plants by outlining in detail the “Universal Edibility Test”. The publication will stimulate interest in this topic even in those individuals who initially may only have had a passing interest in eating wild plants. The book is well-written and one can move through it quickly. The author also provides additional resources at the end of the publication for furthering exploring edible wild plants.
Gail Piernas-Davenport –
Ever been camping and wondered what around you was safe for consumption? Even if you’ve just looked in your backyard and been curious if anything growing there could be used to spice up your next meal, this book is a must read!This book was a very easy and informative read, especially for those that might be “botanically challenged” like myself. Not only are there important safety tips on how to properly harvest, transport and store the plants you come across, but also useful recipes are included for when you’re ready to start cooking your plants. Be sure to include this book on your “to bring” checklist when preparing for your next nature outing!
Lia Brigante –
This book explains – with photos – common edible wild plants that can be tasty but which you will probably NOT find in your local supermarket. These are plants that have to be “foraged” for – found – by walking in your local woods or parks.The book is very comprehensive, explaining in great detail all kinds of edible wild plants and flowers – including what to avoid! – as well as how to “forage,” i.e. what equipment to take along, as well as how to cultivate your own garden of wild edibles, should you prefer to go no further than your backyard for a bunch of “ramps” – wild onions.Interest about this subject could be created among people who love vegetables and want to open up their “repertoire” of what they normally eat; and it could provide very interesting science projects in schools where the teachers would be allowed to go on field trips with their students, gather the plants, and then demonstrate how to prepare and eat them. This could open up a whole new world, particularly for inner-city students whose knowledge of vegetables is limited to what’s in the supermarkets, perhaps creating our next generation of expert botanists!The book is informative, entertaining, and enticing.
Linda Foley –
Edible Wild Plants by Althea PressOur ancestors found dozens of edible wild plants to add to meat and fish. “Edible Wild Plants” makes it easy for modern-day man to safely forage for foods in the wild. This informative, engaging book is a must-have for anyone that enjoys vegetables and fruits and is looking for more variety than the limited selection in the market. Covering dozens of plants, it describes the edible parts of each plant including photos to aid in identification. It also offers information on creating your own “wild edible plant” garden, mouth-watering recipes for each plant, and about the medicinal properties found in parts of some edible, wild plants. This valuable book should be taken along anytime you are hiking or camping.
Erica Glessing –
When I think about edible wild foods, I remember back to the nasturtiums in my mom’s salads but the book Edible Wild Plants for Beginners tells a lot more about how to find and identify wild foods that are safe and tasty. One of the ideas I liked from the book was to look for fruit growing on hiking trails – someone might have tossed an apple or pear core some years back! If I had to choose one piece of the entire book that stood out, it was the universal edibility test. This is vital when you are foraging for wild foods! I won’t give it all away, but you will want to go in and test the juice of anything you’re going to ingest first! The book also gives you some exceptional tips on back yard wild foods that you may not even know you have growing right under your feet in the chapter on backyard edible food. Happy reading.
Lori Clough –
Very comprehensive information regarding wild plants that are edible. Very easy to read and understand. Book gave a complete history of how long humans have been eating wild edible plants.I found it very useful for distinguishing between good edible plants and the ones that could make you very sick or worse. These wild edible plants have not been changed and are very natural. The naturally found nutrients are not altered by chemicals or cultivation in any way.Great information on where to look for, types and identifying characteristics of edible wild plants, in plain language. I didnt feel like I had to have any prior knowledge or experience regarding edible wild plants. The book also broke down the exact parts of edible wild plants that can be eaten and the other parts of the same plant to stay away from. Also, if the plant can be safely eaten raw or if needed to be cooked.This is a great book for a beginner like myself. I was not disappointed with all the information this book contained
lindsye –
Edible Wild Plants for Beginners is positively inspirational. It delivers exactly what the title indicates, offering a solid overview of wild plants, the basics of foraging for wild food, a great beginners guide to some common edible plants, and a fantastic collection of recipes. I’ve always been a little nervous about collecting and eating plants from the wild, but this book has been a great place to start learning what to look out for and how to test for adverse reactions. I also love the plant profiles that explain (with pictures) what specific plants look like and when/where to harvest them. In addition, the profiles include cautionary advice that ranges from how certain plants will take over gardens to what dangerous species look similar to certain edible species.I’m very excited about the recipe section of the book as well. It covers some amazing ideas for meals using wild plants, as well as teas and remedies I can’t wait to try.Though the writing is far from poetic, this book has been a wonderful starting point. As I delve further into foraging, cooking, and maybe even gardening with wild plants, I will certainly purchase more specific, in-depth guides, but I’m glad I began here.
Amazon Customer –
I’m newly interested in learning to find edible plants and got this as a gift. I’ve been impressed by the step-by-step approach given by the author not only to learning about the usable parts of plants – but, how to test / taste them. My suggestion to improve plant identification as, noted in the book, would be to show illustrations with the plant as a whole – and also a grouping of leaves – flowers. A guide to measurement of the size of the plants would be helpful on the picture itself. The notations and references seem to be quite extensive although might be more helpful if listed at the ends of chapters – or if footnotes were added for specific topic reference. This book has truly sparked my curiosity to learn more and gives me some avenues to follow. I cannot say enough positives about the variety and quality of the recipes – worth a buy for those alone!
Chava LeBarton –
I live in Southern California where there is an abundance of hiking trails and campgrounds and I’ve always known that many of the indigenous plants I see here are edible. I discovered from this book that around 500 Native American Indian tribes foraged for food from thousands of wild plants, but I’ve always been afraid to try the berries and nuts and even leaves, flowers and bark that look like food to me, thinking they could be toxic. So my favorite section of the book is chapter four, which actually tells us how to test the roots, stems, leaves, berries and other plant parts by using the “Universal Edibility Test,” which offers simple techniques like rubbing the juice on your inner wrist and holding plant parts to your lips for a few minutes to see if you get a reaction before trying the taste test. The process takes quite awhile, but will keep us wild plant want-to-eaters safe.This book also teaches how identify (and avoid) the distinctive warning features of poisonous plants that make them easy to recognize. There is a great deal of useful information in the book, such as knowing when to forage for and harvest wild plants, what part of day to gather leaves, understanding the changing chemical composition of plants, what tools to use and how to cut the plants, how to carry them, clean them and store them, how to be ethical while foraging, how to protect yourself from predators or bears, how to plant a garden of wild edibles and even how to cook the different parts of your wild plants. To top it off, the book also offers some great sounding recipes, like Garlic Mustard, Prickly Pear Pink Lemonade and Elderberry Dumplings. The photos of numerous edible wild plants are perfect and I love the appendix of Ten Steps to Making Tinctures. Some very good online and print resources are also included. I can’t say enough about this terrific book that is a must-have for anyone interested in foraging for wild edibles or who already forages.
TONY F. L.A. –
I found myself many times saying out loud “how interesting'” when reading this book. If one enjoys the connection us humans share with our world and the importance of what we eat than this is a must read. Filled with compelling information and written in great detail, it plays as both cookbook and dictionary making it the perfect item to be on shelf. The edible plant profiles (Chapter 6) are put together so well. Useful and intriguing information is given and the images of each plant are shot beautifully. While reading I received much motivation to go out and begin my wild plant-picking journey. The recipes offered are unique and healthy, who wouldn’t want to have wild violet loaf cake! All in all, it is a unique recipe book that serves also as an educational experience.
MGSAB –
Edible Wild Plants for beginners gives those who are interested in further exploring this topic all the information they will need from outlining wild plants that humans can eat, how to identify such plants, and how to use these plants in recipes. Additionally, this publication informs the reader about how to identify toxic plants and how to ensure that one could tolerate the various parts of wild plants by outlining in detail the “Universal Edibility Test”. The publication will stimulate interest in this topic even in those individuals who initially may only have had a passing interest in eating wild plants. The book is well-written and one can move through it quickly. The author also provides additional resources at the end of the publication for furthering exploring edible wild plants.