Free, Healthy Food for the Picking.
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| Jon Stokes - Hegderow harvest |
Hedgerows are incredibly undervalued resources that are in danger, of being lost from our countryside, if we don’t start to appreciate their usefulness. As well as their importance for biodiversity and landscape character hedges are a larder of healthy seasonal food – apples, berries and nuts can be collected as a healthy tasty supplement to the diet.
To highlight what we have been missing Jon Stokes, from the Tree Council, led a group of Portsmouth Tree Wardens and other interested members of the public on a walk around Hilsea Lines. He showed us the delights that are on offer such as Damsons, Rowen berries, Rose hips and apples. Explained his favourite recipes for each and included entertaining snippets of information about the health benefits or the folklore behind each.
The event culminated in a tasting session of various jams, jellys, chutneys and cordials which Jon had made. Though the much heralded Sloe Gin did not make an appearance as it seems to have all been drunk at previous events.
If you are interested in trying some healthy free food then the link below will take you to the Tree Councils Hedge-recipes page. There is also a link to other future events in the area. http://www.hedgerowharvest.org.uk/hedge-recipes
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| Rose Hips showing seasonal larder |
At present there are to be found in the hedge-row, Elder-berries, apples, blackberries and Rose Hip. The Sloes are present but better after a frost.
If you wish to find out more about who and what the Tree Wardens are then follow the link. http://www.portsmouthsouthseatreewardens.co.nr/
Many thanks to Jon and Peter and Pauline for such an interesting day. Rachel and Tony
ReplyDeletePortsmouth and Southsea Tree Wardens job is to assist in the introduction of more city trees, of the right kind, in the right places; for better care for all trees, of all ages; and to inspire effective action for trees. Our goal is to make trees matter to everyone.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Pauline