Foraging Stickers, magnets, notebooks, etc., are available on my link here.

These articles and videos are just a quick reviews of what else you can forage in Southern Ontario, Canada, from Spring and onward - and some, all year round…

Intro & Part 1

What Can You Forage in Southern
Ontario, Canada?
Part 2

VIDEO LINK HERE.

Red Currants:

Foraging For Currants: late May - June, July, August,...

Yes, you can also forage gooseberries. If you are up in Northern Ontario, you should try our wild Blueberries - those are really good!

Edible Berries, Ontario:

https://northernbushcraft.com/guide.php?ctgy=edible_berries&region=on

Growing:

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/98-095.htm

 

Recipes:

https://cinnamonandcoriander.com/en/vegan-red-currant-crumble-recipe-with-walnut-crumble-topping/

Black Currants:

 

Recipes:
https://www.elizabethskitchendiary.co.uk/vegan-blackcurrant-ripple-ice-cream/
https://www.veganrunners.org.uk/raw-black-currant-cheesecake/
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/blackcurrant-jam

Black Mulberries:

Foraging Black Mulberries: late June - July
They start off green, white, red, then they turn dark. I have tried White Mulberries as well; they have a very subtle taste, and not as sweet as Black Mulberries.

Growing:
http://tropicofcanada.ca/plant-care/care-of-mulberry-deciduous/
https://www.incredibleseeds.ca/products/mulberry-seeds-black-mulberry?variant=32783229707
 
Recipes:
https://lovecheflaura.com/mulberry-ice-cream/
https://veryveganval.com/2021/07/06/vegan-chai-mulberry-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/
http://blackwhitevivid.com/turkish-mulberry-lavender-syrup/

Raspberries:

Foraging Raspberries: July - Aug, September

We also have black cap and flowering raspberries here. I have found that this is a commonly over-picked fruit. Leaving some on the branch for others to enjoy would be a courteous gesture.

Growing:

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/99-033.htm

Recipes:

https://rainbowplantlife.com/vegan-raspberry-crumble-bars/

https://dreenaburton.com/fresh-raspberry-pudding/

https://theloopywhisk.com/2017/06/15/raw-vegan-raspberry-cheesecake/

https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Avocado-Chocolate-Mousse-1562814

Saskatoon Berries:

Foraging Saskatoon Berries: June - July

If you cannot forage wild Blueberries, take heart; you may be able to forage Saskatoon Berries (also known as Service Berries, June Berries), which are just as nutritious.

Growing:

https://countrylivinginacariboovalley.com/growing-saskatoon-berries/

https://www.ediblewildfood.com/saskatoon.aspx

Recipes:

https://www.justinecelina.com/wild-saskatoon-berry-crumble/

https://delishably.com/fruits/The-Saskatoon-Berry

https://www.norfolktourism.ca/appetizers/saskatoonberry-chutney/

Cherries:

Foraging Cherries: late Spring - early Summer 

Wild cherries? Yes. Anything that is cultivated in home gardens, orchards, and farms can be spread abroad (via humans and animals) from seed, and grow over time, as long as the ground, water, environment, sun and seed conditions are right. But results can be lower to dismal, when it comes to GMOs that are engineered to not reproduce. You might also find them on abandoned homesteads, historical sites and abandoned orchards.

I would freeze various fruits while they were in season, and then make a unique combined berry pie (with fruit that you may not forage / harvest together at the same time), using a graham cracker pie crust. You can also put this in a raw pie crust (see link below for The Raw Gourmet book).

Growing:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/black-cherry

 

Recipes:

https://cookieandkate.com/healthy-cherry-chocolate-cake/

http://nwedible.com/dark-cherry-chutney-canning-recipe/

https://thevegan8.com/vegan-chocolate-cherry-parisian-mousse/

https://www.thefullhelping.com/vegan-cherry-pie/

https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/recipes/gluten-free-vegan-cherry-pie/

Strawberries:

Foraging Strawberries: June - July

Above image: wild strawberries in the field that they were picked, along with a common daisy. The ones that I foraged were much smaller compared to the store bought ones, but just as tasty.

Info:

https://eattheplanet.org/the-history-of-wild-strawberries/

Growing:

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/hgstrawb.htm#:~:text=Strawberries%20can%20be%20grown%20anywhere,the%20summer%20until%20late%20fall.

https://www.almanac.com/plant/strawberries

 

Recipes:

https://www.familybites.ca/2010/06/strawberry-balsamic-and-goat-cheese-toasts.html

https://hazelandcacao.com/raw-vegan-strawberry-cream-slice/

Watercress:

Foraging Watercress: Spring and onward

This massive patch of watercress was growing on a creekbank that also had a stream flowing down on them. The patch extended right down to the creek below.

Growing:

https://www.gardeningchannel.com/how-to-grow-watercress/

 

Recipes:

https://www.watercress.co.uk/blog/vegetarian-fritters-dip

https://www.watercress.co.uk/blog/vegan-watercress-broccoli-patties

https://www.gurmevegan.com/what-is-watercress-how-to-eat/

Broadleaf Plantain:

Foraging Broadleaf Plantain:  - Spring & Onward

This is the tallest Broadleaf Plantain that I have ever seen. I usually see shorter ones, mostly trampled upon when they grow through sidewalk cracks. This one was shot while I was in a field.

Info & Recipes:

Broadleaf & Narrowleaf

https://cwf-fcf.org/en/explore/gardening-for-wildlife/plants/edibles/edible-wild-and-not-so-wild-plants/plantain.html

https://www.ediblewildfood.com/broadleaf-plantain.aspx

https://www.fourseasonforaging.com/blog/2021/2/25/broadleaf-plantain-no-its-not-a-banana

https://www.canadianoffthegrid.com/little-weed-one-of-the-most-useful-medicines-plantain/

http://liferewilded.co.uk/vegan-eggs-from-weeds/

https://www.wildedible.com/wild-food-guide/plantain

https://www.ediblewildfood.com/plantain-salad.aspx

Purslane:

Foraging Purslane: Summer

Purslane is a nutritious annual succulent, that is tasty, both raw or cooked. Just the other day, I walked by a look a-like that definitely was not edible.  It looked like this. You might consider growing many of these nutritional weeds from seed or from cuttings, since they can grow in areas where they can be tread upon by humans and animals. They can also be found growing in your garden and on your lawn, and as plantain, in the cracks of sidewalks.

https://dengarden.com/gardening/portulaca

https://www.fourseasonforaging.com/blog/2018/7/24/purslane-identification

Look A-like:

https://www.po.flowerscanadagrowers.com/our-products/1552/portulaca/oleracea

Growing:

https://www.hobbyfarms.com/6-tips-for-growing-purslane-on-purpose/

https://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/how-to-grow-purslane-weed.htm

 

Recipes:

https://sharonpalmer.com/2014-08-25-sicilian-purslane-salad/

https://www.fromachefskitchen.com/purslane-chimichurri/

[Forage On, Wild Thing!]

The link to my design above, Forage On, Wild Thing!

Gingko Biloba, Maidenhair:

Foraging Gingko Biloba, Maidenhair Leaves: Spring - Summer

Nuts: Late October - Early November

The leaves are best picked when they are younger. Dry them at home for tea. I have yet to try the nuts from this tree.

Nuts:

https://www.seriouseats.com/the-nasty-bits-gingko-nuts

Growing:

https://landscapeontario.com/ginko-biloba-maidenhair-tree

Recipes:

https://ascensionkitchen.com/raw-vegan-ginkgo-pesto/

https://www.marthastewart.com/1049727/ginkgo-biloba-tea

https://whattocooktoday.com/stir-fried-broccoli-with-ginkgo-nuts.html

Grapes:

Foraging Grapes: Late April & Late Summer - Early Fall

Various types. River grapes (pictured above), are sweet and tart, and can be found growing on vines all around. Many people make stuffed grape leaves from this type.

Growing:

https://www.torontomastergardeners.ca/askagardener/when-to-plant-grapes-and-what-type/

https://www.almanac.com/plant/grapes

Recipes:

Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves. This link has a video):

https://honest-food.net/stuffed-grape-leaves-dolmades-recipe/

Watch Out With Grapes, Berries, etc.!

* Important Tip: Just because you know someone who has eaten a grape, berry, mushroom, etc., and has not been affected negatively by them, that does NOT mean that item is not poisonous! With many wild edibles, there are look alikes, that are inedible! And sometimes, they grow right around the edible ones.

Apples:

Foraging Apples: Late Summer / Fall

Ambrosia, Empire,  Royal Gala, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Spartan,  Fuji, Ida Red, Crispin/Mutsu, Golden Delicious, Cortland, Northern Spy, as well as red, green and yellow crabapples,... See the two links below for even more varieties. For recipes, the last two links, you can even substitute Granny Smith for crabapples. 

Info:

https://myaltonaforest.wordpress.com/2017/10/03/wild-apples-in-altona-forest/

http://yougrowgirl.com/foraging-free-apples/

Growing:

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/aplrec.htm

https://canadianfoodfocus.org/in-season/whats-in-season-apples/

 

Recipes:

https://www.alive.com/recipe/raw-licious-cinnamon-apple-pie/

https://biancazapatka.com/en/apple-blondies-caramel-bars/

https://buildyourbite.com/best-vegan-apple-crisp/

https://holycowvegan.net/vegan-apple-pie-pull-apart-bread/

https://shortgirltallorder.com/vegan-apple-pie-bars

https://www.marthastewart.com/315067/frisee-and-green-apple-salad-with-goat-c

https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/november-2007-goat-cheese-and-caramelized-apple-toasts

https://deviliciouslyraw.com/2015/08/12/rawvegan-apple-pie/

Raw Apple Pie: The Raw Gourmet, by Namoi Shannon. I have made a strawberry pie and an apple pie, and much more, from these recipes, and my dinner companions and I couldn't tell that it was raw.

Pears:

Foraging Pears: Late Summer / Fall

A variety of pears can be found here: Bosc, Anjou, Bartlett,... In 2020 and 2021, I saw quite a bit of damaged and/or diseased pear trees on my foraging travels. Same with some of the apple trees.

Growing:

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/11-047.htm

https://www.ontario.ca/foodland/food/pears

 

Recipes:

https://www.veganricha.com/vegan-pear-upside-down-cake/

https://minimalistbaker.com/easy-baked-pears/

https://simple-veganista.com/rustic-apple-pear-crisp/

https://www.daisybeet.com/healthy-apple-pear-crisp-vegan-gluten-free/

I'm a vegetarian, so I included vegetarian and vegan recipes here. And, many of us do not want gelatin and other unwanted ingredients in our desserts, etc. Many desserts, snacks, etc., include gelatin, such as: Jello, mousse (see Cherries, above, for a vegan choc cherry mousse recipe link), strawberry tarts, and used as glaze on other products. I believe more companies should be transparent, and honestly label their products suitable for vegetarians, and suitable for vegans. But, you can always rewrite a recipe to suit your own taste and nutritional requirements.

[Mostly Raw & A Little Bit Wild!]

My link to my design above, Mostly Raw & a Little Bit Wild!

Raw Recipes

In the 1990s, a few friends shared books on food combining,...

I walked into a used book shop and stumbled upon: Blatant Raw Food Propaganda, by Joe Alexander. 

I have enjoyed many recipes from The Raw Gourmet, by Namoi Shannon and from these sites: 

Rawfood.com (Sunfood.com)

Rawfoods.com

I thrive whenever I consume mostly raw. In fact, whenever I stray too far from daily raw energy for too long, my health declines. Living on a lengthened diet of stress, energy drinks, loads of sugar and junk food, excessive caffeine,... I succumbed to diabetes, and a load of declined health issues. The damage was done before I turned vegetarian again (I tried it for a year, while in high school), in November or December, 2017. Things take a while to repair, when you're a junk food vegetarian.

Didn't get to forage? Why not pick your own, on Ontario farms:

https://www.pickyourown.org/CNONharvestcalendar.htm

Or buy from local farmers:

https://www.ontario.ca/foodland/page/availability-guide

There is so much more that you can forage for, in Spring/Sumer and onward, (and some things, you can forage all year round), here in Southern Ontario, Canada! Part 3 is on the horizon, as well as videos of walking in the woods, in nature (no music, no talking, just nature sounds), as well as upcoming Inktober nature drawings (for my upcoming children’s foraging book), and other art.

I hope that I have inspired you to get out there for the first time, or get back out there again, and enjoy yourself in nature!

Thanks for reading & watching.

Sincerely,

Susan L

RiverWoodStudio.ca

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[Images: stickers, magnets, notebook, card,...]

Foraging Stickers, magnets, notebooks, etc., are available on my link here.

Foraging Books:

A foraging E-book .pdf will be available, after I post future blogs of what you can forage here. Also, I have been working on a children's foraging book. Subscribe to the monthly Newsletter to get notified.

Southern Ontario:

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/maps/counties/region.aspx

https://www.google.com/maps/search/southern+ontario+map/@44.0972709,-80.1757429,8z