Living in the mountains for me is a fascinating life. This spring brought a plethora of wildflowers. I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent taking pictures of each variety as they appear at different times.
Several years ago I learned a neighbor of mine was an expert in edible plants and was offering a class on identifying these plants in our area. It was a wonderful class. I had no idea all the Yucca that grew around here could offer so many ways to be used. Those pointy leaf stalks can carefully be spliced to be used as a needle and thread in an emergency and the buds can be used in soups and salads or the seeds can be roasted and ground into flour.
I was about to mow around my cabin when I realized the Pennycress, or wild mustard plants had started to dry. These plants produce seed pods filled with little spicy, garlicky gems. I got a container and a strainer and began harvesting. I bent the stalks over my container and just dragged my fingers along the stem which breaks open the seed pods into my strainer. The seeds fall into the container and leave the dry pods on top to blow away. It takes a bit of time to get a large bounty but it’s worth it.
Dried pennycress seed pods.
Pennycress seeds harvest.
The seeds can then be sprinkled on salads, ground into a flour or sprouted. I’m looking forward to yummy sprouts on my salads and sandwiches.
There is something special about living in harmony with nature and being aware of your surroundings. I like the thought of using the resources mother nature provides.
If you are interested my neighbor wrote a great book called, Best Tasting Wild Plants of Colorado and the Rockies, by Bob Seebeck.
Euell Gibbons, natural diet proponent said “My love affair with nature is so deep that I am not satisfied with being a mere onlooker, or nature tourist. I crave a more real and meaningful relationship. The spicy teas and tasty delicacies I prepare from wild ingredients are the bread and wine in which I have communion and fellowship with nature, and with the author of that nature.”
I have to say Euell, I concur.