Yes there are options for wild edibles even in winter!
1. Cattails
Although the cattail has many edible parts, in the winter, the best part to eat is the starchy roots. You can use it to thicken soups/stews or grind into flour.
2. Persimmons
These fruits taste best in late fall through January when they are wrinkled and squishy. You can eat them raw, make them into jam or ferment them into a wonderful wine.
3. Rose Hips
The skin and pulp can be eaten raw or you can use it to make rose hip tea. They are loaded with vitamin C and taste amazing.
4. Pine Trees
You can eat the nuts from the cones, make tea from the needles and dry the inner bark to grind into flour.
5. Wild Onions and Wild Garlic
The tops and bulbs can be eaten raw or cooked. They are nutritious and will add great flavor to a variety of meals.
6. Barberries
The skin and pulp can be eaten raw or steeped into a tea. Looks a lot like rose hips.
7. Chickweed
The leaves and stems can be eaten raw or cooked. Very mild tasting but nutritious.
As with all wild edibles, make sure that you are 100% certain with your identification. Many wild edibles have other plants that look similar but are toxic. Check back soon for Part 2 to get more winter wild edibles!
