Eating hogweed


Hogweed (Heracleum sphondilium) is a common plant in the British Isles and can be found along verges, in hedgerows, tracks and on the sides of fields.  It’s fairly recognisable but take care not to confuse it with giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum).  We’re eating hogweed regularly at this time of year, it’s one of my favourite wild foods.

It’s also nutrituous and contains high levels of potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, as well as vitamins A and C.

eating hogweed | foraging | wild foods | Kent | south east | London

The bit that you’re after for eating are the new shoots.  These are often tucked away at the base of the plant so you need to move the mature leaves out of the way to get a good look.

eating hogweed | foraging | wild foods | Kent | south east | London

We’ve used them in all sorts of recipes , including in spring rolls, stir frys, frittatas.  But my favourite, and probaly the simplest thing to do with them, is to simply gently fry them in a little butter and then squeeze over some lemon juice!

eating hogweed | foraging | wild foods | Kent | south east | London

This is just one of the many wonderful dishes that we cook on our 1 day foraging courses.  You can see plenty of photos from these courses, as well as all of our others, on our Facebook page.


About Gary

Lead Instructor at Jack Raven Bushcraft, teaching bushcraft, wilderness and survival skills to groups and individuals.

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