Welcome to My Urban Trail’s guide on wild garlic foraging! As nature’s fragrant treasure, wild garlic beckons foragers with its vibrant green leaves and unmistakable garlicky aroma. Whether you’re an experienced herbalist or just beginning your foraging adventures, this guide is packed with tips to help you forage safely, delicious recipes to celebrate your finds, and creative ideas to incorporate wild garlic into your culinary repertoire.

Recognising Wild Garlic 

Wild garlic is a standout star on the forest floor, with broad, lance-shaped leaves that emit a pungent garlic scent when rubbed between your fingers. It typically emerges in early spring and can quickly take over moist woodland areas and urban parks. However, proper identification is crucial to avoid mistaking it for similar looking, potentially poisonous plants.

Wild garlic find

 

Safety First: Identifying Poisonous Look-Alikes

While wild garlic is relatively easy to spot thanks to its signature fragrance, caution is key. Here are some important safety tips:

Smell Test: Genuine wild garlic will have a strong garlic odour. If the leaves have little to no scent, you might be dealing with a different plant.

Leaf Shape & Texture: Although wild garlic has smooth, elongated leaves, some toxic plants like lily of the valley and autumn crocus have similar leaf structures. Lily of the valley leaves are smaller, more delicate, and usually appear in clusters, while autumn crocus plants, though typically recognized for their early spring blooms, are toxic if ingested.

Consult a Field Guide: Bring a reliable plant identification guide or use a trusted mobile app. When in doubt, it’s always safer to seek advice from an experienced forager or local botanic society. Recommendations include Plantsnap and iNaturalist.

Avoid Over-Harvesting: Only take what you need and be respectful of nature. Wild garlic often forms an integral part of the local ecosystem.

Here I am collecting garlic leaves in my trusty TRAILBLAZER Leggings so I can collect hands-free with my phone in my pocket.

Health Benefits of Wild Garlic

Wild garlic can hold so many incredible benefits and so why not make good use of it! Here are just a few of the remarkable ways wild garlic can be used for treatment:

1. Lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart diseases.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

3. Immune System Support

6. Anti-Microbial Properties for treating infections

7. Detoxification for a healthier internal environment

8. Stimulates digestion, reducing bloating, and contributing to a healthy gut.

 

Culinary Delights with Wild Garlic

Wild garlic is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Here, we dive into some creative ways to transform your foraged bounty into memorable dishes.

Wild Garlic Pesto 

A bright and zesty wild garlic pesto is the perfect way to capture the fresh, garlicky flavour. Here’s a recipe that serves as a wonderful topping for pasta, a dip for crusty bread, or even a sauce for grilled meats and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 100g wild garlic washed and roughly chopped
• 50g pine nuts
• 50g parmesan cheese
• 100 ml olive oil (extra virgin for the best flavour)
• 1Tbsp lemon juice
• salt & pepper to season

Instructions:

Toast the Nuts: Lightly toast the pine nuts in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring frequently until they’re golden and fragrant. This should take about 3–5 minutes. Let them cool.

Combine Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the wild garlic leaves, toasted pine nuts, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pulse until the mixture is fairly coarse.

Add Olive Oil & Lemon: With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides. Add the lemon juice and blend until you achieve a smooth yet textured paste.

Season: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. If the pesto is too thick, add a bit more olive oil to reach your desired consistency.

Serve & Store: Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. A thin layer of olive oil on top can help preserve its vibrant colour. Or use an icecube tray and store in the freezer for ready portioned garlicky cubes. 

Homemade pesto

 

2. Wild Garlic Focaccia

For a lighter option, try a Wild Garlic Focaccia, a quick sauté to highlight the delicate flavours of the foraged leaves. This recipe is perfect as a side dish or as a topping for scrambled tofu or eggs.

Ingredients:

• 5g dried yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 500g strong bread flour
• olive oil
• 1 tbsp freshly chopped rosemary leaves, plus extra to gar
• 80g wild garlic
• 30g pine nuts
• sea salt & black pepper
• olive oil

 

Activate the yeast: Measure 275ml/g of lukewarm water into a measuring jug. Whisk in the yeast and the sugar and leave for 10 mins, for the yeast to begin activating.

Flour: Remove 50g of flour and keep it to one side for dusting your hands, work surface, and rolling pin. Tip the rest into a large mixing bowl and add 1 tsp of salt.

 

Making the dough: Tip the water and yeast mixture into the mixing bowl and add 2 tbsp of olive oil. Use your hands to bring everything together into a ball and then turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface. Now knead the dough firmly for 5 mins until smooth and elastic. If your dough feels too wet and sticky, dust with a bit more flour as you knead, until it behaves. Alternatively, if it seems too dry, wet your hands before continuing, so that the water works in as you knead. Return it to the bowl, cover with a tea towel, and leave it somewhere warm until it doubles in size – this will take at least an hour.

Create the garlic paste: Now, blitz the rosemary, wild garlic and pine nuts in a blender, or bash them in a pestle and mortar until you have a coarse paste. Alternatively, you can chop everything together on a board and transfer it to a bowl. Add about 2-3 tbsp of olive oil, until you have a loose pesto-like consistency. Season generously with salt.

Prep for proving: When the dough has risen, lightly oil a baking tray and turn the dough out onto it. Press and stretch the dough out into a rough rectangle; you may find a few rolls with a rolling pin help to start you off. Cover again and leave to prove for a second time; about 40 mins or so, or until visibly risen.

Heat: Meanwhile, turn your oven to 220⁰C/Gas 7 to preheat.

Bake: When the dough has risen, spread the wild garlic mixture evenly over the top and dimple the dough with your fingertips. Transfer it to the oven to bake for 25 mins, or until the bread is golden and risen. Remove and leave to cool on a rack. 

And there you have it! Delicious wild garlic focaccia!

 

Garlic Focaccia with wild garlic condiment! Delicious!

 

3. Fermented Wild Garlic Condiment

Fermentation can elevate wild garlic’s flavour profile and add a tangy twist to your dishes. Try fermenting wild garlic leaves into a zesty condiment to serve alongside hearty stews or roasted vegetables.

Ingredients & Process:

Roughly chop wild garlic leaves and mix them with a small amount of salt (about 2% of the weight of your chopped leaves) to help draw out moisture.

Pack tightly into a sterilized jar, pressing down to eliminate air pockets. Let the mixture sit at room temperature, covered loosely, for 3–5 days, checking daily for bubbles.

Once fermented to your liking, store it in the fridge and use a spoonful as a tangy flavour enhancer in your meals.

 

Wild garlic foraging is an exciting and sustainable way to connect with nature right in your urban environment. By following safety guidelines and proper identification techniques, you can confidently explore and enjoy the culinary treasures that wild garlic offers. Remember: foraging is as much about enjoying nature as it is about respecting it. Happy foraging and bon appétit on your wild garlic adventures!

Feel free to share your wild garlic creations on My Urban Trail and join our community of urban foragers. Happy trails and safe gathering!

Tori from MYUT Support x