The great countryside giveaway with zero food miles.
Nothing tastes so sweet as free food, especially food you have found and collected yourself. Whilst staying here not only do you get the benefits of sumptuous accommodation and fabulous facilities but you also enjoy the freedom to wander around and explore the glorious large biodiverse organic wood and farmland. At heart we are all foragers - who hasn't picked blackberries, or collected field mushrooms in the autumn? But are you familiar with all the other treats and delights that can be discovered around you?
The golden rules of foraging are to take no more than you plan to consume, stick to paths and take care not to trample down or damage areas you are collecting from, pick leaves or berries with care, in moderation and avoid damaging plant roots. Stick by those rules and we're happy for you to help yourselves.
When I first came to Kittisford Barton Farm, over 40 years ago, my mother-in-law gave me the book "Food for Free" by Richard Mabey. It was inspirational. Off I set making rosehip syrup & sloe wine.....both one offs! However sloe gin, elderflower fritters & elderflower cordial became firm family favourites. There are plenty of resources online to help beginners discover all the wonderful natural delicious treats out there, so get inspired, get outside and find some food for free.
Currently we are loving the ability to go down along the path by the Bathealton Steam, which is enveloped by a sea of wild garlic, to bring home fresh leaves & flowers to enjoy. The younger generation on the farm are making quantities of wild garlic pesto, whilst we love the raw leaves and flowers in salad. Adding the leaves to soups, stews and quiches is also delicious. Garlic is widely known for its antibacterial, antibiotic and possibly antiviral properties, and contains vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and copper. Studies have also shown that it may help reduce blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Our other favourite at this time of the year is when the young stinging nettles appear. Yes, seriously, they are delicious and full of health benefits. OK, they are a challenge to pick, gloves are a must, but suitably protected, just pick the fresh top tips of young nettles and once cooked the sting disappears - promise! Just lightly cooked or steamed they make a very tasty and extremely healthy green vegetable option for this time of the year. Alternatively surprise your friends with nettle & lemon cake, it's a fantastic colour and very yummy, plenty of recipes to use on line. Decorating the cake in frosted primroses or other flowers makes it even more special.
Throughout the year there is always something to find. There are four F's to forage for - fruit, flowers, foliage & fungi - go check them out and discover all the other wonderful foods you can find. I am not good on the fungi, so we must implore you not to taste everything you find as get it wrong and you could die.....you have been warned! However on fruits (which include nuts), foliage and flowers we've tried most things and feel all the better for it. Did you know early young beech leaves are deliciously edible and have a pleasant citrus/salad taste!? Not long now before the wild cherry season - some years we have bumper crops and can enjoy them as much as the birds do! With a lot of the lush juicy fruits like cherries and redcurrants, both on the farm, the birds often eat them before we think they're perfect - so get in early! The orchard is turning into blossom glory with the promise of apples and pears later in the year. All food for free, whats not to love?!
