July 2018

We love Foraging...

We love finding uses and recipes, old and new, for the many naturally occurring plants, bushes and trees to be found in the uncontaminated meadows, fields and hedgerows at Reschio.

Collecting the bright yellow star-like flowers of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), packing into jars and filling with olive oil, then placing in a sunny window transforms the liquid into a bright red oil which is fantastic for minor cuts and burns, aching muscles and growing pains. It is also a wonderful dye.

Mare’s tail (Equisetum arvense) grows abundantly in hedgerows and is rich in mineral salts. As a tisane it is excellent for muscles and bones and also to strengthen nails and hair. It is also a good natural tonic for use in the vegetable garden.

Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolate) the long lance like leaves to be seen in the basket beside the Mare’s tail. The slightly gelatinous quality is a substitute for butter when making a classic risotto and the taste is similar to spinach.