Picture it in your mind, wild blackberries ready for the picking in an urban setting. Its kind of mind bending, especially for someone like me, who doesn’t immediately think of urban wild food foraging. While I may not be inclined to attempt it myself, I can’t help but notice all the people who are picking wild blackberries along Cambie Street, or parking their bikes at Stanley Park Seawall to gobble up a few. I find it fascinating and can’t help be a bit envious of their skills and adeptness for survival on wild food, if needed. Or perhaps, its their vulnerability to try something wild without the safety of a grocery store, fruit stand, or even home garden. Sadly, my connection to nature is not that close yet.
Tag Archives: foodlove
Blackberry Ginger Cardamom Scones
Mouthwatering Pickled Cherries
Pickling, home canning, or “putting up” is something I covertly delight in. Pickling of any kind, channels my inner Martha Stewart. As an old school technique born out of pre-refrigeration necessity, pickling conjures up happy thoughts about simplicity and home. There was an entire summer where I focused on learning the art of pickling and canning. I learned the basics, made many mistakes, but my takeaway was a revival of nostalgic interests.
I find it delightful that with pickling, I can literally bottle up summer and store it in a jar. I get to enjoy the pickings of summer throughout the year. Acting as a postcard from summertime, “putting up” offers the ability to make and share idiosyncratic, pretty things. It offers hope and optimism, during dark, grey wintery days. Something, I think we all kind of need.