Wild garlic season starts in the middle of February and by April, the flowers start to sprout and can be harvested right the way through to the end of the season in June. As the name would suggest, this green leaf tastes of garlic, but not as strong, somewhere between garlic and a chive. This beautiful, tasty micro herb has lots of healthy properties. Garlic is widely known for its antibacterial, antibiotic and possibly antiviral properties, and contains vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and copper. Studies have also shown that it may help reduce blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease. One of the joys of wild garlic is that the whole plant is edible raw and cooked. Free to be enjoyed by those, who like me, love to pick and cook with it. 

Below you can find some recipes how to use Wild Garlic. 

Wild garlic pesto:

•150g wild garlic leaves, finally chopped •50g parmesan or vegan alternative finely chopped •1garlic clove •½ lemon zested and a few squeezes of juice•50g pine nuts, toasted (or walnuts)•150ml extra virgin olive oil 

Method:•STEP 1 Rinse and roughly chop the wild garlic leaves. •STEP 2 Blitz the wild garlic leaves, parmesan, garlic, lemon zest and pine nuts to a rough paste in a food processor. Season, and with the motor running slowly, add almost all the oil. Taste, season and add a few squeezes of lemon juice.•STEP 3 Transfer the pesto to a clean jar and top with the remaining oil. Will keep in the fridge for two weeks.

Now you can use the pesto with pasta along with lemon zest, courgette and tipped with rocket. You can also use it for  salads, soups or dips. 

Before you forage for wild garlic.

Take a pocket guidebook, use an app or google it and check it before picking anything. Make sure that it’s legal to forage in a public area. Use all your senses to identify the plants you’re looking for; it may look similar to wild garlic but if it doesn’t smell of garlic – don’t eat it! Never pick leaves next to busy roads or lanes, or low down, where dogs are regularly walked. 

Enjoy ❤️