Wild garlic

[Roseberrry]

I've seen it everywhere at the moment but I'm not too sure what uou do with it. Do you eat the leaves? Any tips on what you do would be great

I just like to chop it in half along its widest part and roast it in with a load of other veg. It goes all sweet and garlicky and delicious but DH thinks it's disgusting.

Other than that I find it's pretty interchangeable with the usual stuff, although far more expensive!

Expensive? I mean the stuff growing by the bucket load in the woods,is that the same thing?

I make pesto with it (this freezes well) and a couple of logs of wild garlic butter (also for the freezer) most years. During the season, I often make a quiche with goat's cheese and lightly steamed, then chopped, wild garlic leaves in the custard.

Add it to any sauce just before taking off the heat and then simply allow it to wilt. You then get a lovely subtle and sweet garlic flavour. gravies too
also nice wilted on just cooked pasta. Add a squeeze of lemon and some parmesan and you have quick and easy supper.

Mmm the butter sounds lovely.
Do I just pick the leaves then?

I think you can eat the bulbs too but it's probably more ethical to just pick the leaves and leave the bulb to grow again.

Good soup recipe here: homegrownkate.com/2015/02/20/wild-garlic/#more-1776

Stir it into risotto or through a pasta sauce. Yummy.

It's delicious in spinach or curly kale. Just cut it into shreds and wilt at the last minute with butter or olive oil. Or chop it through pasta dishes or risotto.

It's going to be a good year for wild garlic - the woods smell gorgeous where we live.

It also makes a lovely spring garlic and potato soup recipe here

I never thought of pesto I'll give that a go.

Where do I find it???? Been looking and everyone says it's everywhere but I don't live near woods !!!! Can I buy online?

It's lovely with everything! Potatoes, white fish (especially this), chicken, pork...

My favourite thing to do with wild garlic is to select the most greenest, lushest, beautifulest leaves while walking the dogs on Solsbury Hill (there is a magical woodsy bit round the base) then drive into Bath and buy burgers from Schwartz Bros and put the wild garlic in the bun on top of the melty cheese. It is a taste sensation!

Also good lightly wilted in butter & served with roast lamb if the Solsbury Hill walking happens to be on the right Sunday!

Ooh! Totally forgot it was wild garlic season (and haven't been near the woods where I pick it so haven't been reminded by the delicious smell)!

I love making soup with it. It's also great torn up and put on top a decent pizza (a bit like a pizza express Soho.)

Hmmmm... Yum.

It's good in vietnamese rice paper rolls.

I blend it with olive oil and salt and use it to flavour all sorts.

Tart with wild garlic, leek and cheddar is good.

Baked ricotta with chopped wild garlic.

I love the stuff...

No idea Jemappelle, I've only ever seen it in the woods. There's one town near me that is absolutely laden with the stuff, I could send you some!

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to go pick a load tomorrow and give most of these a whirl.
Any other ideas for stuff that can be stored? I like the idea of the oil and garlic butter. Dh isn't a fan of garlic so I'd only get to binge on it while he is away

Hi rose berry would you seriously mind sending me some?! Do you have Paypal? I can send you first class postage etc?

Yes of course, not sure what the best way to package it would be though?
I'll let you know if we are definitely going to pick some before you send anything.

I make garlic bread with it. Shred and sprinkle on a home made pizza base with some butter. Better than normal garlic bread imo.

Nice in mash.

I have tried wild garlic pesto but it wasn't nice - possibly because it was late in the season. If I can get some when it is very new and fresh I might try again.

I have some in the garden- it's just through. WIlt into pasta with sour cream.

Just to warn those of you who collect it wild - dogs seem obsessed by it and wee on it excessively. My dog also likes to back up to it and poo on it. I think they like the smell. Wash carefully!

I think I've just been put off it.

Yeah, sorry about that! Better to know and wash carefully/collect from dog proof areas

Had the most amazing chicken Kiev from m&s with wild garlic butter, not home made but would totally recommend it if you see it, bone in chicken breast, delicious! Pesto and garlic butter are good. It also makes a lovely soup.