The Wild Table: Seasonal Foraged Food and Recipes {Book Review}

Foraging is something I’ve been increasingly interested in, so I jumped at the chance to review The Wild Table: Seasonal Foraged Food and Recipes by Connie Green and Sarah Scott.

The good thing about reviewing cookbooks in the winter is that one has more time to do so; the bad part is that many of the ingredients are not available. When I read The Wild Table, I wanted to jump right up and head for the woods. Alas, our woods are snowy and have several feet of snow, so I am forced to dream and plan, to add yet another item on my spring “to do” list.

Luckily, the book is perfect for lounging with. The photos are GORGEOUS, and the description of ingredients and prose throughout about cooking with them are a feast in their own right.

The Wild Table begins with a brief explanation of foraging fundamentals and etiquette and then provides a beautiful array of recipes divided into seasons (spring, summer, indian summer, autumn, and winter). I had absolutely no idea there were so many kinds of mushrooms! I have only foraged for morels, and only as a little girl. It’s definitely something I’d love to try. Each recipe provide thorough instructions, a delightful introduction, tips and techniques, and substitutions and variations. Some of the recipes I hope to try when the snow disappears is Morel and Toasted Rye Bread Soup; Buckwheat Waffles with Spruce Tip Syrup; and Elderberry Shrub Cocktail.

Rounding out the book are a few chapters on

the wild pantry (vinegars, infusions, etc.)
wild calendar
guidebooks and sources

and a fairly comprehensive index. As if that’s not enough to make you want to check this out at the library, here is a fun video of the authors:

You can also check out their website, http://www.thewildtable.net.

Of course, it would be irresponsible of me to suggest you tromp out in the woods and start eating whatever looks good; for that reason, might I suggest instead you find someone in your area who is a foraging expert?

Here are a few links to point you in the right direction:

http://foraging.com/

http://wildmanstevebrill.com/

http://wildfoodadventures.com/

http://www.mykoweb.com/

You can also order many items online at places like http://www.earthy.com/ (a Michigan company!)

So, have you ever foraged?