Page 143 - The Lost Ways
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The taste is similar to parsley, with decidedly herby tones. Be careful when harvesting as
the leaves do resemble poisonous water hemlock. The difference is that hemlock is
smooth, whereas storksbill is hairy. If you remember to always look for fuzz, you’ll be
golden.
Watercress (Nasturtium Officinale)
Perennial herb; harvest all year
35
Watercress grows in slow-moving, clear water. It can be found abundantly in America’s
creeks and springs. To harvest, collect the young growth all year long. It will grow back so
that you can harvest it repeatedly. These young, tender leaves are delicious raw or
cooked. They taste and cook up a lot like spinach. They are flavorful, so adding them to a
dish of blander greens is a big bonus. If you get a good harvest, they make a lovely base
for a stir fry, and if not, toss them in the soup pot for a little variety. No matter how you
decide to eat it, watercress is a delightful wild edible that will be your favorite in short
order.
35 "Nasturtium officinale Common Wattercress", by: Lazaregagnidze, (CC BY-SA 4.0)
142
