Wild garlic

Hello all, I live on the river bank and this evening [half time] the smell of wild garlic is quite strong. Can it / has it been used in cooking, salads, preserving or whatever I'm just curious any thoughts would be welcome.

 

How about some Wild Garlic Soup? :D

Wild Garlic or Ramson, (Allium ursinum) though smaller than the the kitchen garlic can be used in simmilar ways. Bulbs, leaves and flowers are all edible.

 

I used to watch a programe River Cottage and the chap on that was always using local or natural plants and herbs. I may well try that frogesque.

 

Regarding the wild garlic, it can be used in different recipies: with cottage cheese, on mashed potatoes, incorporated in home made noodles, in sauces, soups and on grilled meat.

The leaves are the part mostly used and they have to be picked before the flowering period, so that they are tender.

they don't have to be boiled or simmered for any lenght of time, just barely, as they are at their best if eaten next to row.

The leaves release a strong garlic smell if rubbed.
They don't have to be confused with similar leaves like those of the tiny white lily or those of the crocus, as these two are poisonus and smell nothing like garlic.

The bulbs are also edible, although of less interest.
The leaves can be preserved in oil and salt or dried or frozen.

 

as I am at it, I give you a little recipy made out of potatoes and flour:


POTATOES DUMPLINGS (gnocchi di patate):

boil 1 kg potatoes (experiment with various types).
Peel them while still hot, mash them, add a little salt and 300 gr flour, mixing very well.

Divide in portions, lenghten the portions in some cylindric shapes of 2 cm diametre.
You will then cut the dumplings 2-3 cm. long.
Pour in lot of boiling water.
They will be ready when they come to the surface (3 min. approx).
You can then season with a tomato sauce, cheese sauce etc.

 

and "gnocchi di patate" is apparently the dish that Tom Cruise wants to taste tomorrow, as he is getting married in Italy....


http://ilrestodelcarlino.quotidiano.net/art/2006/11/17/5446567

 

The bulb can be eaten as with garlic or onion bulbs

The leaves as mentioned are good raw - ( after being well washed!) Cut fine as they can be strong and add to salads or such -

However they work similarly to spinach and can be used such when mild -

Best addition to a good steak -- soften in pan with alittle butter or oil - add cream reduce quickly with salt and pepper -- Creamed wild garlic and steak -- ooh im hungrey --

keep it bloody and wipe it all up with good bread )))))))))

What ever you use it with keep it earthy look whats seasonal to go with it - thats natures way - maybe some game ?

 

I just found this thread and this is the herb that is used a lot here the last several years. There is a really yummy cheese spread with B�¤rlauch/wild garlic in it that we buy, so good on a piece of toast, mmmhhh!

I didn't know that you could eat the bulbs too miraflores and njoyit2.

 

Do you suppose they have it in LIDL, HG? I'll keep my eyes open for it!

 

Who is HG, dendro? Are you doing a Dave W?

 

Gone blind, I think. K-G, of course - yes, just like Dave! cheers, Deni......

 

I bought it in Real, a big supermarket chain, but I will look if Lidl has it next time I am there. dendro.

 

Lofl - this is obviously the B�¤rlauch that I mentioned some time ago and that you yahooed/googled and then told me it was wild garlic in English. Noted that frogesque also said Ramson.

 

Hi Dendy! I was at Lidl this morning and looked to see if they had the wild garlic cheese spread but unfortunately they didn't. You might try looking in your Lidl, they might have it, as I've found that even different parts of a country have different things, they cater to an area's taste. So it is very likely that you can get the B�¤rlauch spread over there - hope so!