French Style Foraging

Wherever there is a car (usually rather battered) stationary at the side of the road, it's usually there for one of two reasons. If there is no one in sight then you can be sure that somewhere there is a Frenchman or woman foraging. Where the car is parked will vary with the time of year. It will be near a forest in the autumn, where the owner is quietly poking the undergrowth looking for mushrooms. We were given a tip for hunting mushrooms by an expert some time ago, and that is one must walk in circles as one hunts; the refraction of the light from different angles reveals the hidden mushrooms.

Spring will find the car near a ditch or hedge, the owner occupied with finding snails, wild garlic, and wild asparagus; it seems though that elderflowers go untouched, which is a surprise as they make wonderful fritters as well as cordial, something we're passing onto our French neighbours.

We have continued to be amazed at the ability of French country folk to find something consumable in the most unlikely locations.