Foraging for samphire

mwbewick

Hi Everyone,

We're new to Wivenhoe, kind of – just moved here a couple of weeks ago but did live here for a few years in the mid-90s.

On our first walks around and about we've noticed that the blackberries are just ripening in the hedgerows. I also hear that wild marsh samphire grows plentifully along the mud flats of the creek. Does anyone know anything about whether you can forage for it? Is it safe to do so, and if yes, is it tasty, and if yes, when do you pick it?

Will TTW be able to help?

Thanks

Martin

Marika

We picked and cooked the samphire some years ago.
It's safe enough, but the taste wasn't a patch on what we had from Green's in Eld Lane later on. I don't know of any fishmongers who now sell it, perhaps in Brightlingsea?

BobMehew

Hi Martin,

I'll forward your question to the food group at TTW to see if they can help.

Cheers,

Bob

mwbewick

Thanks Marika, thanks Bob.

janr

I am almost ashamed to admit that samphire can be bought locally in Waitrose. But it is getting a bit stringy now - I guess it is getting to the end of its season. And I would be careful about picking it locally along the river because it was getting very scarce when I last looked and I would hate for it to be wiped out altogether. Unfortunatley the uninitiated tended to pull it out by the root rather than just cutting off the tips so that it could grow again. And I guess river pollution hasn't helped.

JanR

milly

No need to go outside Wivenhoe for this delicacy. The fish van on the co-op triangle (friday and now saturdays) has been selling it for weeks. Steamed or in put in boiling water for 3/4 minutes and served with butter it is delicious.

puffin

Agreed Milly: really tender delicious stuff from Woody's van (kinda addictive isn't it?)

mwbewick

To Woody's it is then!

disgustedofwivenhoe

Agree with milly. Over the last few weeks the Fish Van's samphire has been great, and very addictive. Perhaps they put something in it down in Brightlingsea !?!

Marika

Along the path of the river wall that runs west from the end of West Quay there are an amazing number of beautiful flowers which I have managed to identify as salsify.
I wondered if this is the same plant as the edible variety- does anyone know?

HazelH

I have foraged it here but the stuff I foraged near Maldon tasted much better.

ChrisGibson

Marike
Yes it is the same as the edible salsify, though growing wild perhaps not as succulent as the cultivated stuff. Not a native to britain, but established in the wild after escaping from cultivation. However, a point of warning - as it is the roots which re often eaten, to forage those parts would need you to uproot it. And to uproot any plant in the UK without the permission of the landwoner is in theory illegal....

Shaunathesheep

However, if you gather the seed, it's very easy to grow in your garden (though in my experience it's bi-annual, so you do need a bit of patience...)

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