Urban foraging

Tips for eating urban edibles

KNOW THE AREA No one likes Agent Orange in his or her dinner salad. Before foraging in a public area, call the local park district to find out if it sprays with pesticides.

NEVER FORAGE ALONE If you’re a first-timer, forage with someone more experienced who can help you correctly identify edible flora. And bring a few books to cross-reference your finds. Try The Forager’s Harvest by Samuel Thayer.

IF IT LOOKS BAD, IT PROBABLY IS Apply the same rules you use when thumping melons or squeezing avocados at the market. If it looks mangy or bad, keep on walking.

STAY AWAY FROM THE HEMLOCK Don’t pull a Socrates; hemlock and other deadly plants can be found in the same areas as the safe stuff. Learn what can kill you, and stay away from it.

JUST TAKE A LITTLE OFF THE TOP If you want to be able to eat from the same plant over the course of the year or season, snag only a little bit from each plant so it has room to continue growing.