Harvesting Nature’s Gems: Late Summer and Autumn Wild Foods

🍁 As the warm days of late summer gradually give way to the crisp, golden tones of autumn, the countryside offers an abundance of wild food just waiting to be discovered. This is the season when nature’s larder is brimming with vibrant berries and fruits, perfect for the keen forager.

🌍🦉 When foraging, it’s essential to remember the principle of “take only what you need and leave plenty for wildlife.” Nature provides a bounty, but it’s vital to ensure that we don’t deplete resources that animals depend on. By taking only a modest amount, we help maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem, ensuring that there’s enough left for birds, insects, and other creatures to enjoy. Always be mindful of your impact and respect the natural world, so future generations and wildlife can benefit from these wild treasures as well.

🍇 Blackberries🍇

Blackberries are perhaps the most iconic of the foraging finds. These juicy, sweet berries are abundant in hedgerows across the country, making them easy to find. Enjoy them fresh, in pies, or turn them into jams and crumbles - the possibilities are endless! And what about tasty ice lollies? I usually make fruit leathers, bake loads of muffins, and enjoy them in smoothies.

No ice lolly moulds? No worries! 🍦🤔 Get inventive and use whatever you have -muffin trays, empty yoghurt pots, plastic cups, or even a spare ice cube tray! 🧁🥄🍧🧊 Check out the video below to see what I used for ice lollies before! 👇📹

🌸 Flowering Currant 🌸

Although more commonly known for its springtime blossoms, the flowering currant also produces small, tart berries in late summer. While not as popular as other wild berries, they can be used in jams and desserts, adding a unique flavour with a hint of spice.

🍒 Cornelian Cherry 🍒

The cornelian cherry, with its bright red, olive-shaped fruits, ripens in late summer. These tart little berries are perfect for making sauces or preserves, especially when combined with sweeter fruits. In Eastern Europe, they’re often used in traditional liqueurs and syrups.

This year I'm trying something new: Homemade Cornelian Cherry Olives

Perfect as a gourmet snack or an impressive addition to your pantry, this recipe is simple yet rewarding.

Here’s what you’ll need:

500 g unripe cornelian cherries 🍒

30 g salt 🧂

1 litre of water 💧

1 whole garlic bulb 🧄

70 g mixed herbs (basil, thyme, oregano, nasturtium—whatever you fancy) 🌿

Olive oil 🫒

Preparation:

Clean the stalks from the cornelian cherries and place them in a large jar.

Pour in the salted water.

Store the jar in a warm place for about 7-10 days. Initially, the cherries will float, but as they absorb the water, they will sink to the bottom, indicating they're ready.

Drain the cherries.

Chop the herbs and slice the garlic.

Layer the jars with herbs and cherries.

Pour olive oil over everything.

Store in a cool, dark place and let it infuse for at least a month. The longer it sits, the better it tastes! 👍

How about you? 🤔 Are you going to give it a go❓

🌹 Guelder Rose 🌹

Guelder rose berries, with their striking red colour and heart-shaped seeds, are a lovely sight in autumn. The berries can be mildly toxic if eaten raw, but they’re perfectly fine when cooked into jelly, jam or sauces, often paired with other fruits to balance the flavour.

❤️ Plus, their heart-shaped seeds are a charming little surprise! ❤️

😍 Check out how cute these guelder rose seeds are! 😍

❤️ Look at their little heart shapes - nature’s tiny love notes! 🌿🍃

🍎 Hawthorn berries aka Haws 🍎

Hawthorn trees are another autumn staple, their branches heavy with deep red haws. These berries are often overlooked, but they make a fantastic addition to jellies, syrups, or even homemade ketchup. Rich in antioxidants, hawthorn berries also have a long history of use in herbal remedies.

👀 Did you spot the ladybird below? 🐞

Last year, I made fruit leathers and hawthorn ketchup. I absolutely loved the ketchup, though I must admit, I was a bit overexcited and ended up eating it a bit too quickly! 😅

📕 Where did I get inspiration from? You should check this awesome book Knowledge to Forage.

🗒️ Recipe:

3 mugs of hawthorn berries

1 mug of water

1 mug of apple cider vinegar

Half a cup of honey, syrup or sugar

Salt & pepper to taste



👇 Check out this video below where I was making haws ketchup! 👇

👉📚 You can check my other blog article about haw uses here.

🍊 Rowan Berries 🍊

Rowan trees, with their clusters of bright orange-red berries, are a common sight in the British countryside during late summer. While these berries are visually striking, they need to be cooked before eating. Try making rowan jelly to enjoy with meats or cheese. Just remember to cook them thoroughly to remove any lingering bitterness!

🍎 I usually make fruit leathers with them. To balance the sharpness, I’ve paired them with wild apples, dried dates, and a touch of date sugar for natural sweetness. The combination not only makes these fruit leathers absolutely delicious but also keeps them on the healthier side, free from refined sugars.

You can check out the video below to see the rowan berries I brought back from my foraging walk! 🍊👇📹

🌸 Rosebay Willowherb aka Fireweed 🌸

Late summer and early autumn are ideal times to gather the leaves 🍃 and flowers of rosebay willowherb, also known as fireweed, ensuring a high-quality brew for the colder months ahead.

🍵 Making Ivan Chai for the first time is a rewarding experience, especially when following the traditional four-day process detailed in the Knowledge to Forage book.

☕️ This method not only preserves the plant’s beneficial properties but also creates a beautifully aromatic tea that’s perfect for enjoying later in the season.

🍃 Ivan Chai is a traditional Russian tea made from the fermented leaves of rosebay willowherb, also known as fireweed. This caffeine-free brew offers a unique, earthy flavour and a range of health benefits, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a soothing and nourishing drink.

🌸 If you're curious about foraging fireweed, from edible shoots to vibrant flowers, you're in the right place! I've explored it all, from harvesting stem pith to enjoying the blooms. If you prefer watching videos, check out the ones below to see it all in action. Happy foraging! 👩‍🌾🎥

🌰 Medlar 🌰

Medlars are an unusual fruit, ripening late in autumn. They need to be bletted - a process of softening by exposure to frost - before they’re edible. Once bletted, medlars have a sweet, almost spiced apple flavour. They’re perfect for making jams, jellies, or even medlar cheese, a traditional English preserve.

🍇 Elderberries 🍇

Elderberries hang in heavy, dark clusters, ready to be picked and transformed into delicious syrups, wines, or jams. These berries are packed with vitamins and have been used traditionally to boost the immune system. Just be sure to cook elderberries before consuming, as raw berries can cause stomach upset.

This year, I crafted a delightful elderberry syrup 🍇🍯, blending it with honey, ginger, a touch of lemon 🍋, and a few cloves 🌿.

Having said that, you can check out the video below to see how to make capers from green elderberries. 🍇👇 Just remember, you need to prepare them in a special way to eliminate any harmful substances.

🐔 Chicken of the Woods 🐔

This mushroom is a prized find for foragers due to its vibrant orange-yellow colour and delicious, meaty texture. 🍄

🌳 Typically found growing on trees or dead wood, this fungus resembles chicken meat in both flavour and texture, making it a fantastic addition to various dishes.

However, it’s important to do a test before consuming, as some people might have allergic reactions or sensitivities. Always gather mushrooms from clean, unpolluted areas and properly identify them!

🍂 A Forager’s Farewell to Summer 👋

As the seasons shift, so too does the landscape of wild food available to us. Late summer and autumn are the perfect times to explore and enjoy the rich variety that nature offers. So grab a basket, head out into the countryside, and see what wild treasures you can find!

I hope it inspires you.🥰 Happy foraging!🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

From my heart ❤️ to your heart.❤️