Collection: Wild Garlic Plants
All Plants Are Sold In 9cm Pots Unless Stated Otherwise
Here, we explore some of the culinary uses and health benefits of the alluring herb, wild garlic (Allium ursinum) to inspire your culinary creativity.
Wild garlic plants, also known as ramsons, bear's garlic, and wood garlic, are a type of perennial allium varieties that are closely related to staples such as onions, leeks, and chives, featuring a distinctive garlic leaf.
It thrives in damp woodlands, often near water drainage ditches, marshlands, or fenlands. Native to Britain and Europe, Wild Garlic has also made its way to the United States.
The plant comprises a bulb, stem, green leaves, and star-shaped white wild garlic flowers. Each part is edible wild garlic and can be used in a similar vein to its allium cousins. It's one of the first spring greens to appear, marking the end of winter and the beginning of a new growing season.
Identifying wild garlic is straightforward due to its glossy, green, pointed leaves and the potent garlicky fragrance that wafts from them. Despite its resemblance to the poisonous lily of the valley, one rub of the leaves will immediately dispel any confusion — the distinct garlic aroma is a clear giveaway for wild garlic identification.
Planting wild garlic is a fulfilling endeavour. It thrives in the wild garlic habitat of damp, shaded areas but also tolerates sunnier spots if the soil is well-drained. Once established, it will propagate wild garlic, forming dense colonies, multiplying its underground bulbs, and providing a reliable source of fresh greens each spring.
Wild garlic is celebrated for its versatility in the kitchen. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, adding a hint of garlic to salads, soups, pasta dishes, and stir-fries. The flowers also make a visually appealing and flavourful garnish. In essence, cooking with wild garlic can be used similarly to garlic cloves, but its flavour is less pronounced, which is a key point in wild garlic recipes.
Wild garlic boasts a nutritional value rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and copper. It also contains organosulphur compounds, phenolic compounds, steroidal glycosides, lectins, and a variety of essential amino acids, contributing to its garlic nutritional value.
You can easily incorporate wild garlic into your meals. Here are some suggestions:
Let's explore a simple yet delicious recipe using wild garlic — wild garlic pesto.
100g wild garlic
150ml olive oil
100g yellow cheese or parmesan
60g walnuts or almonds
Salt to taste
Enjoy this pesto stirred through pasta or drizzled over salads, soups, and fish dishes.
The wild garlic season is a magical time for foraging for wild garlic and embracing the great outdoors. Adding wild garlic adds excitement to culinary endeavours and can contribute positively to your wellness journey.
In conclusion, wild garlic is more than just a delightfully fragrant herb. It's a potent green delight packed with wild garlic benefits.
Health Benefits of Garlic: Garlic is renowned for its health benefits, which have been recognised for centuries. Here are some of the advantages of including garlic in your diet, contributing to its reputation for garlic health:
Considerations
Overall, garlic is a highly nutritious and beneficial food that can contribute positively to your health when included as part of a balanced diet, boasting a significant garlic nutritional value.
Wild garlic, also known as ramps, ramsons, wood garlic, or bear's garlic, is a flavourful plant that can be foraged in the wild. All parts of the wild garlic plant are edible, showcasing why wild garlic edible parts are a forager's delight:
