I don't know about the rest of you, but I am starting to feel the onset of a panic attack each time I pull into a grocery store parking lot or pull up to a gas pump. I never know what to expect. First, will what I am after...what is on my shopping list... be there. Second, can I afford it? Each trip carries a hidden anxiety pertaining to 'how high have the prices jumped
this week?' And, at the self checkout, I shield my eyes as the receipt rolls out. Do I really want to know? And when the gas pump doesn't click off until $67.52 and I already had slightly more than a quarter tank? And that was WITH my gas points? UGH! It is for certain that prices are getting away from us! It truly makes me wonder what future months hold in store for all of us!
My husband and I are among the fortunate ones to own some property--a small farm--where we can plant a garden and try to offset what we cannot (and will not be able to) afford at the grocery store! But there again, have you checked out the price of a single tomato plant? Not too long ago, a person got a six pack of tomato plants for half that amount! And packets of seeds? Yes, you can still find some for 99 cents, but the number of seeds inside are still quite pricy when you do the math. Most packets of seeds are edging up around $3 and $4. Again, not so cheap!
Thank heavens I SAVED SEEDS from last year's (and previous years') harvest! That is what is going into my raised garden beds this year. But as I look around at my eclectic arrangement of raised beds, I still wonder...will they be enough? Should I add more beds? Should I expand the one's I have? Living in an area where the soil is predominantly clay, the raised beds quickly identified themselves as necessity, but it takes lumber and REAL dirt to make them. (Have you checked out lumber prices lately?)
Whatever way I turn, the options just are not appealing! That's when I began gazing over the barbed-wire fence at the field that runs along our house. Instantly Ruby, my lovable and courageous character from Painted Windows (Book 1 of the Gunpowder Series) came to mind. And the several questions I have received about Ruby whispered in my ear: how realistic was it that she survived on weeds and wild plants during her homeless years? Pretty realistic, people!
It was right then that I decided my land had a lot more to offer us than just what I plant! As I strolled through the field of grass, I spied many of the edibles Ruby would have subsisted on when living her nomadic life. Grabbing a colander from the kitchen, I began picking away. The result? This gorgeous and delicious salad made from dandelion greens and the scrumptious dandelion flowers!
And I did not stop there (and giving the price trends, probably won't be able to!). Below are pictures of the Broadleaf Dock that I plucked from the same field. A little butter and a few cloves of garlic (mince) created the tasty greens (very much like collards, kale, mustard or spinach) that made a perfect complement to the pink beans that simmered that day (I just added the ham bone left from Easter dinner!). My husband let go of some of hi skepticism and we enjoyed a very nutritious meal for less than a $1.00 for the both of us!
And, today when I got home from work and was checking on my bees, I followed one back over to a flowering dandelion. Before I realized what i was doing, I had a handful of dandelion leaves. I believe they are going to be quite tasty sauteed in some reserved bacon grease or olive oil with onion, garlic and a little parmesan cheese grated over the top!
Next year, I am going to tackle the dandelion jelly! I am too late for this season, but everyone online swears it is AWESOME!
You can find a variety of books on identifying edible wild plants and weeds on Amazon.com. Also, these contain tips for ways to prepare these vegetables. When foraging, be sure you do so in an area that has not been sprayed with any type of pesticide or herbicide! Also, when in doubt about a plant's identity, DON'T!
Ruby's story can be found in the three-novel Gunpowder Series: Painted Windows (Book 1), Dashboard Lights (Book 2), and Ruby Ring (Book 3) -- Available on Amazon.com in paperback, eBook, and FREE on Kindle Unlimited! Proceeds from sales go to help homeless charities!
Enjoy!
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