2009 and all that

I haven’t written anything recently, due in part to the lack of anything current to talk about; it’s high Winter, and there’s not much to forage at all.  Aside from work, tax returns and other mundane stuff, I’ve been twiddling my thumbs in anticipation of the first signs of new life. It’s February, so not far off at all now.

Snails will break out of their sealed up shells as soon as the temperature begins to rise, but they won’t have eaten since November, so it’s best to wait until March to start gathering them up.  You’ll be surprised by how worthwhile they are.

Our garden snails are considerably smaller than the typical French eating snail, so serving them in the traditional way with garlic butter is less effective. Fry them in butter, garlic and a little vermouth or white wine and add them to risottos and linguines instead, or, best of all, make feuillettes d’escargots; a puff pastry parcel filled with snails in a cream and wine sauce.  Allow 10 snails per parcel, and a parcel per person, and serve with a green leaf salad for lunch.  I won’t give a full recipe here and they need a fair amount of preparation, but it’ll be in the London Forager cookbook if it ever finds its way to print, and on our website once it’s had its revamp.

The credit crunch/economic downturn/death of the British economy has been much on my mind (as it has on everyone’s I should imagine). With regards to foraging, it’s hard to tell what the effects will be. I’m sure there’ll be a surge in interest (though perhaps not just yet) in foraging as a pastime, which I am very excited about. It can only have a positive effect on one’s life as far as I’m concerned, being a means to eat free, nutritious and delicious food, get out into open spaces and take part in the natural cycle.  

I am concerned however about the effect that a large-scale surge might have on London as a foraging ground. There are only enough green spaces in London to support a light harvest. If people are respectful, and are careful not to take more than they should, then the land should cope. But if hordes of millions storm the parks and heaths of London and strip it bare, then it will be damaged.

I’m aware of the irony at play here, and it all throws the validity of the London Forager into question somewhat! Is it right to evangelise about something that is necessarily niche? I think I’m on the right side of the ethical cusp, but I’ll have to be careful, because I don’t think it should be in any way exclusive.

As for the London Forager itself, we’ve been contacted by some television producers since the New Year, so there are opportunities to spread the word and bring foraging to people’s attention. But will people pay a premium for artisan food and drink anymore, or pay for guided walks? There are marketing issues to think about, but I don’t (and am unlikely ever to) make my living from this.  The motivation for doing it all is to garner interest in foraging, so I’m prepared to ride a dip in trade if there is a rise in interest in foraging as a pastime.

I’ll be doing guided walks on weekends from April. They’ll be limited to 4 people per walk and will include lunch on the hoof.  When I’ve got the dates/areas sorted I’ll put them up.