Author Topic: free berries, watercress  (Read 1370 times)

Runrooster

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 493
free berries, watercress
« on: June 05, 2015, 05:01:17 PM »
A few months ago I was walking on our quiet street when I noticed a neighbor collecting green things by the stream.  She had no idea what the name was and only said it was common in her country and it made a good cooked soup.  I was a little leery and didn't want to encroach on her territory but eventually got curious enough to track down the name and taste.  Watercress! Makes a fabulous omelet, sandwich green, salad, and I use the stems in soup (another use of the vitamix)

Another thing I've been foraging for years is various berries.  Wild blueberries are a frequent sight iin cities and parks because the trees aren't that tall and attract birds.  Mulberries, a purple stained invader.  Our backyard has the much maligned wild blackberry, very seedy but makes a fetching sorbet with the vitamix.  Then there is the invasive wineberry, which is wild raspberry.  In past years I've picked gallons in the 4 weeks it matures locally, eating fresh and freezing.  I think o raspberries as both healthy and luxurious.  My parents are not into any of the wild fruit because of the seeds, which I empathize with (but: free!)

Anyway, this problem was overcome recently with the discovery of a small notice on the package of Driscolls strawberries.  Basically if you review the berries, they send you discount coupons, which I combine with local stores doubling policies to get them at a rock bottom rate.  I don't mind the surveys, mindless enough to do it, and it means I can justify eating fresh berries all year round.  My parents have finally gotten out of the "too expensive to indulge in" habit when I point out that its now cheaper to eat raspberries than apples.