January is usually very cold and opportunities for foraging are not as good as in the summer or autumn. There are usually still few sloes or rosehips around, but fresh plants are fairly scarce. It’s still beautiful to go out on a sunny day and if you are lucky you will find some chickweed, sorrel or nettle to pick.
January foraging also overlaps with December and February, so make sure you check out my other posts to see what’s in season.
To get you started
Cow Parsley (Wild Chervil)
Cow parsley can be easily found on river banks, roadsides and meadows. The leaves are at their best before the plant starts to flower, which is any time before March. The only problem is that cow parsley leaves look very similar to poisonous hemlock, so make sure you have a good identification book with you when you go foraging.
What to pick
- January – March – leaves
- April – May – Shoots
notes
Leaves are best collected (and more tasty) before the plant starts to flower.
how to use
Mix in salads and wherever you would normally use parsley
Recipes
dandelion roots
I’m sure I don’t need to introduce you to dandelion – the bright yellow flower that’s abundant on all meadows in the late spring and summer. But winter is the best time to dig for dandelion roots, which are great for roasting and making coffee. The reason why winter is the best time to pick dandelion roots is because the plant draws all it’s energy and nutrition to the root to be ready to start growing in the spring. You can easily spot where to dig if you just look for the dandelion leaves. The root is quite strong and long, so it’s best to take a little garden trowel or weeding tool.
What to pick
- Dandelion root
notes
how to use
Clean, dry and roast into a natural coffee.
Recipes
Black mustard
Black mustard is similar to yellow mustard, but it has darker stems and leaves. The seeds are black and have a peppery taste to them. You can find black mustard in the meadows, sides of open spaces or parks and most scrublands. You’ll probably not find the plant by it’s flowers, so instead look for pods filled with black seeds.
What to pick
- Leaves
- Black seeds
notes
how to use
Use in salads to add a peppery taste to them or spice up your cooking.
Recipes
Cattail
Found growing in and around ponds and stagnant water, cattail is easily recognised with it’s brown, thick ‘cigars’ like tops. Make sure that you ask permission of the land or pond owner before you pick any cattail. Or you can ask if any of your friends have some in their garden as many people keep it as ornamental plant to decorate the sides of their water features or small ponds.
What to pick
- white parts towards the bottom (lower) part of the plant
- Roots or rhisons
notes
Pull out the plant and use the white parts at the bottom as a ‘leeks’ in recipes and the roots (or risons) for making flour
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