Despite the wintry conditions in Bristol this week, wild garlic foragers are out and about on the lookout for this simple herb. It has been springing up since February with Arnos Vale Cemetery being a popular spot to gather it. Permission for individuals to forage at this site is required, while businesses are not permitted to forage at the cemetery.
Wild garlic adds a fresh twist to meals such as casseroles, stir fries, soups or pasta when mixed in just before serving. And there’s also the classic wild garlic pesto, or you can dry the leaves, crush and add to salt for your own garlic salt - the flavour lasts for ages.
Wild garlic foragers will tell you the intense smell is the way to identify this simple herb. It is also how to avoid being caught by lookalike herbs, lily-of-the-valley and lords-and-ladies which are both poisonous.
