​The joy of summer foraging

Now that we're officially in summer, it's the perfect time of year to make use of those long daylight hours and enjoy some local foraging. Even if you don't live in the countryside there are so many delicious and interesting things that you can find and make use of in your kitchen.

It's important to forage responsibly though, so always remember to just take a little bit of what you want to use, check what you are foraging for, particularly in terms of land access rights, and be respectful of nature. After all, bees, insects and other creatures rely on plants, seeds, hips and berries, so do leave enough behind.

What to forage for in summer

Gather your gloves, some secateurs and something to carry your treasures in and head out to your nearest woodland, country lane or even garden to see what you can find. Even if you live in a town or city you'll be amazed at what you can find if you know where to look. Sign up to foraging Facebook groups for local advice but remember to avoid plants which grow close to sources of pollution. Seasonal treasures include:

Wild Garlic

This grows abundantly in the countryside and you'll recognise it by the garlic smell. The leaves are great in salad and soups, and you can also use them to make your own homemade pesto alternative with plenty of extra virgin olive oil.

Ash

One of the most common trees in the UK, these trees are part of the olive family. Their green seeds are edible and hang in bunches this time of year. Pick them early in the day, boil the seeds and pickle them in vinegar for a tasty side dish.

Elderflowers

You may already be familiar with elderflower cordial but did you know you can also fry elderflower bunches in batter for a delicious snack.

Roses

Look out for wild roses as their petals can be used to flavour jellies, jams and cordials, and you could also try making your own rose water. Also try adding dog rose petals to salad, make your own rose vinegar or dry the petals to add to iced cakes or in Middle Eastern dishes.

Pineapple weed

You'll recognise the fruity smell of this plant which is also called wild chamomile. Pick the young flower heads and use them to make herb tea. The leaves are also great in a salad. This is one of the many edible plants that grow almost anywhere, including through the tarmac or at the side of sports pitches.

Bilberries

As we move into July you might be lucky enough to find wild bilberries which are tasty enough raw, but really come into their own if you stew them with a little sugar. Use them to flavour yoghurt in a parfait, make your own ice cream or swirl with cream for a delicious pudding.

Chickweed

This green plant is abundant and highly underrated. It is packed with minerals and vitamins and works well in a salad, or cooked with butter as a vegetable.

Chanterelle

These glorious and yolk-coloured mushrooms are found in woodland and they taste wonderful in savoury dishes. It works well cooked in butter, paired with pasta or even steeped in vodka for a bold liqueur.

Wild strawberries

These are the original strawberry and their flavour is wonderfully intense, although you will probably only manage to pick a small handful if you are lucky enough to find them. Pair with cream or ice cream or simply enjoy as you wander in the sunshine!

Make use of glass jars for foraging

Cheap glass jars are the perfect storage vessels for storing your precious foraged items, and also for making jams, jellies, drinks, salves and other creative items. With a glass jar, you can make anything from lavender-infused salve with natural shea butter, to a delicious hedgerow jam or a tomato chutney. Choose a cheap glass jar and you can also save some money whilst protecting the planet.

We showcase our latest range of glass jars on the Wares of Knutsford special offers page and you'll see that many of the larger batch orders come with the benefit of free delivery to save you even more. If you bookmark the page you can return whenever you need to stock up or contact our customer services team with any queries that you might have. Our team is on hand to offer advice and guidance at any point during office hours. And remember to sign up for our newsletter for all of the latest ideas, inspiration, competitions and product launches at Wares.

Share your projects with us

Are you having a go at foraging this year? Thinking of making your own chutneys, jams, jellies, salads or dried flower cake decorations? Whatever your project, please do tag us in your social media posts so we can share your beautiful creations with the Wares of Knutsford community!