Been in a bit of a fog like the sky this morning over Goutweed as I often wondered if I just haven’t notice this plant around as it is well known for being an edible and medicinal, invasive plant. A recent wordpress post on (62nd Parallel North) really woke me up to what this plant looks like in its spring growth and since that post I’ve noticed Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria) in 2 recreational areas a short walk from my home. Unfortunately these locations were close to roads within the city and not a wise place to gather food.
It is -2 degrees C this morning at 6.00 am and the Goutweed in this area has been touched by frost, though the good news is I pass by close to this country area most week days, so I’ve found a good source to gather later today and also in the future if I like this plant.
Goutweed is a member of the Carrot family which has some of the most poisonous plants on the planet, so unless you are really familiar with the poisonous ones like Water Hemlock and others, you best have an expert verify this plant before trying it.
I stopped by this guy’s place figuring he would know his carrots even better than me, but he wasn’t talking so I looked around the net some more to get as much info on this plant as possible and I ended up arriving at another wordpress blog along the way which was (Of Plums and Pignuts) where I received some valuable tips on harvesting and cooking.
Work is over now and it is 19 degrees C at 5.00 pm, quite a change and the Goutweed has made a nice recovery.
Here is a look at the young shiny growth I gathered for my initial encounter with Goutweed, tasting the young stems raw I found them better tasting than raw caraway and sweet cicely greens, 2 other members of the carrot family, so Goutweed’s first impression is good. Cooked in the frying pan this plant is very good and it appears new young shoots will keep rising for several months during the year, this hardy invasive has a lot of potential. No wonder this plant has a long history of usage throughout Europe and Asia for thousands of years. ciao
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