How to Identify Minnesota Edible Wild Plants

Since organic foods tend to carry higher price tags than non-organics, some people associate a healthier diet with a higher grocery bill. By learning to identify wild edible foods, however, you can eat better and save money. By learning to forage for edibles, you will add variety to your diet. Wild greens have higher nutritional content than those commonly grown on farms. Once you learn to identify them, you can bring back the ingredients for the night's dinner from a walk in the woods. Minnesota, like most regions, offers an abundance of delicious wild plants.

Instructions

• 1

  Look for a book with information specific to your region. Wild plants vary in different parts of the country. An all-purpose book about herbs may list plants that do not grow in your neck of the woods. Also, variant versions of a plant with slightly different appearances may grow in different regions. Find a book that gives specific information about the nutritional values of each plant.

• 2

  Take an herb walk with an experienced herbalist familiar with your region. A knowledgeable herbalist will be able to point out more specifics about a plant than you can gain from a picture in a book. She/he can also tell you whether there are look-alike plants to avoid. You teacher can help you find edible plants by talking about the growing conditions specific plants tend to favor. Local park districts, your neighborhood health food store or alternative health clinics in your region may have information about herbal teachers and classes. You can also look online for herbal groups in your area.

• 3

  Ask your teacher specific questions about how to handle and cook the edible plants introduced in class. For example, nettles should be picked while wearing gloves to avoid the sharp points on the stems. Only the nettle leaves are used in cooking.

• 4

  Through reading and asking questions, learn the best times of year to look for different forms of edible plants. Many edible greens reach their peak during spring, others in early summer. On the other hand, the nutritional value of a plant goes into the roots during fall, making this a good time to dig for plants like burdock root.

• 5

  Choose your foraging area carefully. It is illegal to pick plants on some public land or to pick on private land without the owner's permission. Also, areas near railroad lines or non-organic farm fields often have chemical residue from pesticide sprays.