Alexanders: Urban foraging for Roman veggies

As the Britannic tribes stood on the coast ogling the arrival of Julius Caesar in 55BC, they probably weren’t under the impression that this band of invaders would be a good thing. Although the first recce was short and sweet it wouldn’t be for another 100 years till the Roman presence was truly felt in Britain.

The Romans did plenty for Britain and the rest of the empire, as pointed out by the People’s front of Judea in Life of Brian. Big pimpin’ Villas sprawled across the South Downs with swanky mosaics, baths and hypocaust systems (that’s under floor heating to you and me). Along with the latest in swanky household installations from I-Claudius (before the Scandinavians renamed it IKEA), the Romans were also responsible for some new culinary sensations that our ancestors would never have seen, let alone tasted before.

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Rules of engagement when foraging for food

Photo by Nick Weston

I received an email last week from one of my readers; it was concerning the picking of wild garlic bulbs and the legality of such activities.

In the email it was mentioned that it is illegal to pick the bulbs of wild garlic. This is not strictly true, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act it is illegal to dig up a plant by the root, however common it is, unless it is on your own land or you have the landowner’s permission. My favoured wild garlic harvesting spot is on a Friend’s farm and there is more of it than you could shake a stick at.

The other point that was raised was how essential it is to set good sustainable standards where our wild foods are concerned. Quite, I couldn’t agree more. So what are the rules of engagement when it comes to foraging?

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21st Century Hunter-Gathering: The Fully Foraged Meal

The fully foraged meal / Photo by Nick Weston

I wouldn’t say it is the best time of year to be grubbing through the hedgerows with the hope of creating a meal solely upon what Mother Nature can provide, but there are, thankfully, a few signs that spring is slowly emerging from hibernation. Wondering about the woods, I noticed on the trees that the buds are slowly fattening up ready to burst and the wild garlic is peeking through the soil down by the river- finally winter is drawing to a close. In fact, according to the diary, British Summertime begins on the 29^th March-just over a month away!

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