Summer 2021
Wild berries
Wild berries abound in Washington state in summer and fall, in a rainbow of colors and variety of textures and flavors. » More ...
Foraging
Summer 2021
More wild berries
Numerous wild berries can be found in summer and fall around Washington state. Here are more varieties to look for.
Read about wild berries in the Pacific Northwest.
Black chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa)—A great natural source of pectin, these tart, dark berries are perfect for processing into jam and jelly.
Black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii)—These tart reddish purple berries—best in jam, jelly, sauce, and vinegar—are prevalent west of the Cascade Range in damp clearings and thicket margins.
Black huckleberries (Vaccinium membranaceum)—These are among the tastiest and most popular berries in the Pacific Northwest.
Blackcap raspberries (Rubus leucodermis)—Unlike blackberries, these berries have a hollow middle, like … » More …
Summer 2021
The secret life of huckleberries
Matt Carroll studies people’s connections to land, particularly fire risk and human communities throughout the West. But he’s also researched an important Washington state staple: the wild huckleberry.
He’s a professor and associate director of graduate programs in the School of the Environment at Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences. While most of his work centers around wildfires, he has also examined the social ecology of the huckleberry in and around the Colville and Panhandle National Forests in northeast Washington and northern Idaho.
“Huckleberries have a very deep history in our region,” Carroll says. “Indigenous people … » More …
Spring 2020
Go wild for these greens
Whether you forage them yourself or find them at the farmer’s market, wild spring greens pack a nutritious—and flavorful—punch.
Here are a few recipes to go wild for:
Nettles
Try puréed nettles in soup or pesto.
Croatian blitva, traditional and hearty peasant fare from the Dalmatian Coast, is traditionally made with Swiss chard and potatoes, garlic and olive oil. Why not try subbing one leafy green for another? Try this recipe with nettles. And, for extra flavor, … » More …
Spring 2020
Wild things
Wild greens in Washington state, from nettles to fiddleheads, offer a delicious alternative to salads. » More ...
Summer 2016
Safe mushrooming 101
Advice and tips from Washington State University mycologist Lori Carris on safe hunting for mushrooms.
Read about morel mushrooms and Carris’s research.
Basic tips
Learn the rules & regulations for your area
Learn to recognize the common edible mushrooms AND poisonous mushrooms
Eat mushrooms in moderation even when you are confident of identification
Always cook mushrooms thoroughly before eating.
When in doubt, throw it out.
A good guidebook is essential
A mushroom guide should be:
Easy to use, with lots of color pictures
Accurate & up to date
Relevant to the area in which you are … » More …