Wild Garlic is found across most of the country. Mainly in damp, ancient woodlands, shady lanes and under some hedgerows. Like Bluebells, it prefers slightly acidic soils so if you know a good Bluebell wood it’s likely to have Wild Garlic too, sometimes as a carpet of white and green anytime from March to June. Wild garlic leaves are at their best and most flavoursome when bright green before the flowers open. As they age and start to turn yellow and the flavour reduces. Do not dig up Wild Garlic bulbs. Unless you have landowner’s consent it is illegal and the bulbs are disappointingly small. Harvest leaves, stems, flowers and seed pods using scissors. Look out for bird droppings! Pick a little here and there rather than too much in one place and watch where you are putting your feet. As you pick, it is easy to bruise the leaves so put them gently into a basket or bag without packing them in. Like many wild leaves, they will wilt after picking so use quickly or refrigerate (in a sealed bag!). Great raw in salads, sandwiches, dressings and finely chopped as a garnish. A popular use is in pesto in the place of basil. Try making your own garlic butter or garlic bread. When cooked the leaves can be used in many ways. The simplest use is as a vegetable as you would prepare and serve spinach. It can also be used blanched and pureed as a sauce for white fish, in soup (“neat” or mixed with nettle tips), stews, pasta sauce, risottos, quiche, frittata, cheese scones, focaccia, dumplings, in Chicken Kiev and lots more. The leaves can be preserved in honey, oil, as pesto, in pickles, chutneys and vinegars. A puree mixed with oil (rapeseed or oil) can be put in jars (Kilner preferable to tin-lidded) and covered with a little oil or frozen in ice cube trays. The leaves can be dried with a dehydrator or in a very low oven. When dry (brittle) store in jars in a dry, cool, dark place. Good for you too! Garlic is widely known for its antibacterial, antibiotic and possibly antiviral properties, and contains vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and copper. Studies have also shown that it may help reduce blood pressure, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease. If you are struggling to find them - try searching for Bluebell Woods on the Woodland Trust's website - https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/map/ Select Bluebell Woods in the feature option! Have FUN!
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