Sunday saw a trip to the Wildside or more precisely to Kelvinside as an intrepid band followed Mark Williams along the banks of the Kelvin on a foraging trip with a difference. Mark lives in Gatehouse of Fleet, that forgotten corner of SW Scotland where the vastness of the Solway Firth dominates the southern border and to the north are the remote hills and forests of Galloway. Mark is a forager with a difference, working under the name Galloway Wild Food, he doesn’t so much forage to sell to chefs and delis, as is usually the case, but instead he spends much of his time teaching people how to forage and to recognise the hidden treasures that are literally on our doorstep! Mark had been encouraged to head north to “the Big City” by Chris and Paul Charlambous owners of the Cail Bruich restaurant in Glasgow’s West End to take part in a combined foraging walk and a meal featuring many foraged ingredients. The walk was a revelation, did you know that the roots of one of our common hedge row plants tastes just like cloves?! I didn’t and as you can see below clove root (Geum urbanum, Wood Avens, Herb Bennet) was only one of the many plants that we discovered here in the heart of Glasgow!
Mark’s “Nature Table” of Foraged Goodies
Mark extolling the benefits of hog weed!
Pineapple weed growing in abundance along the banks of the River Kelvin.
And you do what with it?!
Paul discusses the merits of pineapple weed with Mark but looking at the picture now I am reminded more than anything else of the Bob Newhart sketch “Introducing tobacco to civilisation“
“Welcome back” – Elderflower champagne and prosecco
And now for part 2!
The Menu!
“A drizzle of elderberry vinegar”
Elderberry vinegar, sweet yet sour and sticky is an absolute revelation and a must have! The elderberries will soon be ripe so don’t miss out and follow the simple recipe now!
Sushi filled with foraged goodies
Congratulations and thanks to Mark, Chris and Paul for a really enjoyable day.
To learn more about Galloway Wild Food please follow the link
To learn more about Cail Bruich restaurant please follow the link
To see more photos and learn about Greenshoots Photography please follow the link
Good food – it’s all about sharing. ENJOY!
Copyright: All photographs and text in the blog “Brunch at Goodies” are subject to copyright. © Keith Gooderham 2011-2013 All rights reserved. Do NOT copy material without requesting permission to do so. If you would like permission simply contact me.
Brunch at Goodies 