So Early
It is March and the ground is caked with half a foot of snow topped with an inch or two of ice. But a week ago the snowdrops and crocus were up, maple was budding, and I found my first plate of spring forage: dames rocket, chickweed and amber jelly ( Excidia recisa.) The dames rocket will get coarse and bitter, although still edible, as the season develops, but for now it is tender with a delicious bite. The chickweed has been accessible even through Northern winter, taking advantage of each growable.moment to offer its mild corn flavored nibble. The edible fungus, taken off a fallen twig, has also been available all winter, one of the winter foraging stalwarts. This is the season for root gathering too, and as soon as the most recent storm's leavings unlock, I will be checking around last year's spent second year stalks from edible biennials... burdock, evening primrose, wild carrot and parsnips.... for tender rosettes and edible roots of the next gene...