chaoticforager

Yellow pimpernel (Taenidia integerrima) isn’t a plant I hear talked about online, but finding it again has made me remember just how grateful I am for the foraging community that continues to teach me and help me grow! Thanks for introducing me to this wonderful plant, Sam! I’ll make sure to save you some seeds :)

Authentic New York style ramp bagels! Don’t let the bread snobs fool you. Bagels aren’t actually hard to make, they just require a few extra steps if you want good results.

Ramps are ephemeral alliums found throughout the northeast, Midwest, southeast, and mid Atlantic. Their season is short, only a few weeks, and their abundance can be highly variable depending on location. I didn’t find any big patches this year since I don’t live within their normal range, so I only took leaves, no bulbs.

If you don’t have access to ramps, you can use pretty much any other green allium for this recipe! Try field garlic, spring onion, chives, whatever floats your boat!

Have you ever heard of cochineal scale insects (Dactylopius coccus)? How about a food coloring called Red 4? Yes, niblings — if you’ve ever had Skittles, eaten red velvet cake, or worn lipstick, there’s a very good chance you’ve ingested (or applied) this insect! No insects were harmed in the making of this video — they were already donezo by the time I got there! I love traveling to new places and getting to meet organisms i’ve only ever read about in books!
Speaking of, thank you to the for having me and featuring my book “Gathered: on Foraging, Feasting, and the Seasonal Life.” What an absolute delight!