Page 14 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

usually keep for about 5 days in the fridge, otherwise ment of lemon juice, ascorbic acid, or blanching can
you can freeze and store the sauce for up to 6 months, increase the shelf life. Once the food has been dehy-
especially if the sauce has a high acidity. drated, it must be stored in an airtight container to
Plant material preserved via vinegar or salt pickling prevent the food reabsorbing moisture and spoiling.
is easy and this method can preserve food for 3 - 6 In general, fruit should be dehydrated slowly and end
months in the fridge. For most food, it requires at least up with a moisture content of around 20%. Dried fruit
a week of anaerobic fermentation where the food is can last for up to a year. Vegetables, roots, and bulbs
completely submerged in a brine or vinegar solution. on the other hand, should be cut into smaller pieces to
Fermentation can preserve food for at least 3 months, dry, and end with a 10% moisture content. They tend
and storing fermented food in a cool location will of- to last about 6 months.
ten extend this to 6 months, since the lower tempera- Many herbs and flowers can be tied into small bunch-
tures will decrease the rate of fermentation, which es and hung upside down in a dark, cool room to dry.
will keep the food from turning too sour. Wild edibles Once the bunches are completely dry, they are best
that are low in acid don’t tend to preserve as well, so stored in airtight containers and will keep for approx-
fermenting can be a good option for these types of imately a year. It is essential to completely dry the
food. plant material before storing away in a jar to prevent
Some root vegetables and bulbs can be hung in string mold from growing.
bags or covered in sand and stored in a cellar or base- Jams and jellies tend to have a long shelf life due to
ment for a few months, similar to potatoes. This is an their high sugar content, and they are very adaptable
easy option for storing larger quantities as long as for a large range of wild edibles. The shelf life of most
the temperature is between 40–50°F (4.5-10°C) and jams and jellies is at least a year.
there is sufficient ventilation. When using this meth- Canning preserves food for at least a year, as long as
od, don’t wash the roots or bulbs; brush them instead the seal remains intact. The easiest method for can-
to remove the dirt, and only wash as you use them. ning food that is highly acidic involves completely
Blanching leafy greens, vegetables, and roots before submersing the canned food in boiling water for at
freezing can decrease the concentration of water-sol- least 10 minutes. For produce that has a low acidity,
uble nutrients, however, blanching and freezing pressure canning is recommended instead.
will help to preserve non-soluble nutrients for 6–9 Airtight storage containers are essential to prevent
months. Berries are easily frozen without blanching moisture, bacteria and oxidization, which is why vac-
or drying. Just pop into an airtight container and into uum-sealed bags are a great storage option, especially
your freezer. for dried, blanched, or frozen food.
Dehydrating fruit, vegetables, bulbs and roots will re- Always check stored food regularly and remove any
tain most nutrients and minerals except for volatile rotting or moldy produce immediately.
ones like vitamin C and beta-carotene. A pre-treat-

13