Hallo my dear gardening friends!
I just came back up from the wild gardens below my house, and wanted to share the adventure with you all:
Armed with forbici, a (sharp) kitchen knife, and a wee heavy sack for the harvest - plus an improvised stick from a fig tree cutting, to hack back the nettles, I made my way down to the less cultivated part below... down the steep staircase.
Oopah, when I got to the lower level, I realised my long socks were not long enough, and certainly got stung a wee bit by the already well-grown ortiche - which will also be harvested very soon!
On, through a patch of high brambles, which I could snip and slash my way through relatively easily...
Into the thick of it, a space that I love, and keep clear, so as I can access all kinds of wild plants.
This part in particular is like a natural church, and is a place that I like to spend time soaking up atmosphere in...
Now on downwards into the bamboo forest... to see if I can find more sprouts there, after finding my very first (in the 15 years I've lived here) last week.
I'm showing you my welly boot here, to illustrate how steep the slope is - but I don't think it proves much.
Anyways, here I see my first shoot of many! Very exciting! I did some research over the past years and hope to be eating an edible bamboo! 🫣😍
There were tons of sprouts: last time I picked just 4 and they were all bigger than these.
This time, I filled my sturdy wee sack, and look forward to jar them up.
Here I'm showing you the various sizes in situ: the very smallest were actually quite hard to 'snap' off, but those over 10-15 cm were easier.
I am using trial and error to test the flavours of differing sizes... the smallest perhaps are much more delicate...
What I do know is vital in bamboo processing, is cooking them a good while to destroy toxic acids present.
This is a much bigger one than I was picking, with my foot to show size.
Early on in the picking; such a beautiful natural design, and such a satisfying pick!
I got absorbed into the picking: as ever, I speak to the plants, listen to the sounds around me (there's a waterfall very close by) and give prayers of gratitude for the plants' service. I don't get into documenting that part with photos.
Once I feel that the harvesting is complete, and the call to finish up is felt, I start back up out of the wild gardens, feeling very connected, grateful, and rich in treasures. Above, is a snap of the banking just above the bamboo, where I pick asparagus... which is just finishing now.
Then, back up through brambles and nettles... with my fig stick 🤗🥰
Up the steeeeeep steps...
With my full-to the brim sacchetto of fresh bamboo 🤩🤲🙏🌟
And back to my front door on the Via Dietro Gli Orti. The shoots are washed already, and after lunch and siesta I'll be cooking them then bottling or suchlike (as I live without mains electric and so have to store foods in jar and sott'olio (under oil) or the like, to have them last).
I hope you enjoyed this wee forage with me, and would love to hear any wisdom that you have around bamboo.
Many blessings,
Clare.