I grew up in New York City, so I’m not that familiar with foraging. But, presented with the idea of a guided tour to forage through a park and then cook the goods, I was curious. Despite complete trust in my friend Marc of No Recipes, I still had to double check. “Marc, I’m not going to die right?” I asked a few times, but he mostly just chuckled and said no one died last year. So I was taking a risk by joining in Forage & Feast a Lab 24/7 event, but I am still alive 4 days later, and I had a great time cooking with Stephane, Ulla, Giff, and others. We picked Stinging Nettles, edible Violets, and Fiddleheads. We dug up burdock, field garlic, and ramps. My favorite was the Japanese Knotweed.
Picture by Marc Matsumoto
I wish I had taken pictures, especially of the Japanese Knotweed. It is an invasive species that grows wild in many NYC parks as well as some backyards. It’s actually very pretty with a green stem that has pink speckles, and knots like a bamboo stalk. Young stems are juicy and reminiscent of rhubarb, a fresh and tart flavor. As the stems get older, they become more fibrous, eventually woody, and they are hollow.
So I had an idea for a cocktail. Young stems were peeled and muddled, mixed with Stone’s Ginger Currant Wine and soda to make a light and refreshing cocktail. The older stems were used as the straws in the cocktail. Awesome right?
If you’re thinking, yes Jessica, that’s rad, but I’m never going to go out and forage Japanese Knotweed… then forget that. Just sign up to win these shiny Mikasa Bottle Stoppers. This matching set of 4 will be sent to a randomly selected winner. All you have to do is leave a comment here (and a way for me to contact you) by Friday, April 23 at 3pm. Sorry, shipping to the US only (but you can enter as a non-U.S resident and give your prize to someone you know in the US if you want).
Just writing up this give-away made me happy. I think I’ll be giving away more stuff from now on…
The winner is number 36…
Jessica! You have the same name as me!
I wonder what you could find foraging in Chicago?! Interesting idea!
wow, we probably would have had the same skepticism..but then again, we forage for our rosemary. awesome giveaway!
I don’t know about foraging in the streets of new york. You’re brave.
Another stuck in Chicago…I even wish I had space for a garden, or even herb boxes!
Wow Jessica, you’re brave!
What a cool experience, and such a lovely .. plant? Root? Creative cocktail. I’m always up for a cocktail.
So innovative! I’ll be on the look out for this beautiful species.
That’s such a creative idea!
Wow, such an interesting experience!
Those are such beautiful bottle stoppers!
The only foraging I have ever done was for blackberries in the canyons where I grew up – hmm, maybe I will have to take a trip home this summer.
I love giveaways too. Just the postage is too expensive…
Wow, an interesting post. I’ve never been foraging before. Hope I win!
I have recently been introduced to Burdock root and didnt realise it was so accessibly in the nearby urban parks 🙂
The stoppers look beautiful.
lovely webspace…would love to get the stoppers..they are cute…all the best to all the participants
Here in San Francisco I came across a few trees growing on a side street full of the most beautiful spiky red berries – later found out they are Yangmei trees – very rare in the US! Foraging is the best way to eat fresh, shopping for food in chinatown often feels like foraging (beautiful stoppers!)
They look beautiful!
Not a cocktail fan… but the stoppers, that’s another story 😉
gorgeous! would love to have them.
Those stoppers are stunning and I am definitely going to try the cocktail!
The Japanese knotweed looks beautiful! I wonder how many times I’ve walked through a wooded area and walked by these beauties.
That is so cool! I live in Manhattan, & am not a fan of dirt, but maybe I’ll get up the courage to go dig up edible stuff… & that root does look amazing.
DominiqueEatsOut
The Japanese knotweed looks beautiful!
Oh, wow, another invasive species I’ve never heard of. I found someone recently through Hudson Valley Food Network and her blog who also leads forages around my neck of the woods. I’d like to go someday. I want to find some ramps. You, Ulla, and everyone sound like you all had a blast with Marc as your foraging leader. I’m so glad you didn’t die, Jen! 😉 I sure could use some bottle stoppers, what a nice giveaway – thank you.
Oh, these are so awesome! I’ve never seen such pretty bottle stoppers.
So cute! I would love to win these
Those stoppers are really cool!
Cute stoppers!!!
That’s awesome! I just started reading! I love your blog, unfortunately college is not so cooking friendly either 🙁 but it’s almost summer so i can cook at home !
The knotwood looks so cool though, which park did you find it in?
Looks kind of poisonous. My mother would appreciate the effort in foraging for food, even in NY.
That is a cocktail worthy of Dr. Seuss!
I’m also a city girl, and foraging/gardening/intense nature activities are definitely not my forte. This sounds fun, though! Maybe I’ll give it a try someday.
And drool, those bottle stoppers are gorgeous!
I like the bottle stopper with the dots the most.
I’d love to forage, but I’m scared. Plus, dogs pee on the dandelion greens.
OK, I’m in for bottle stoppers.
I recently found your blog and I’m so excited to have another worthy food source 🙂
I would also love to win some stoppers!
You should make this for me and Chris next time we visit 😀 haha
I’m not familiar with Japanese knotweed or burdock..but will look into both. Foraging is fun, but in a park in NYC? As long as you were with a group, wash the things you found (considering the pee comment above) I guess so. I think of foraging in the wilds. Not the wilds of NYC! 😉
Hahaha glad to hear you lived to tell the tale:-)
What a sweet giveaway! I’m in!
This makes me want to forage in the weeds that have grown behind my buidling. I’m sure there’s some treasures that I have to dig through.
Sounds great! Makes me want to do some research on things I can find in the city.
Winner is #36 – Jessica!!
Leesie, I was about to frown but then saw your wink.
Rachel, it’s a park in Yonkers. I don’t have a kitchen right now so I’m just using appliances so I think anything I’ve done lately, you can probably do in college.
Eatingfoodboy, aka underaged cousin who likes alcohol, NO.
To everyone, please be careful when foraging. I’m not an expert and would not trust myself to go alone. Find an expert to go with you.
Really jealous you. The good thing grow up in New York is to try all those different culture’s drink and food. Love your blog. Looks amazing.
Thanks Tebonin, that is what I love about New York.