On Friday, I learned of a year-round salad that I could forage from my very own garden. I say ‘forage’ as Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) is a wildflower which I had previously been pulling up and disposing of.
I espied a small patch today which seemed like a fitting accompaniment to a salad I was making with foods gleaned from the reduced aisle (the only way I buy out-of-season vegetables). Of course, I had a nibble first, to make sure I wasn’t about to mar the dish, and was pleased that it does not live up to its name. That is, it is not bitter – but it does taste like cress.
Hairy Bittercress is a member of the brassica family, so for some it could have a bitter taste. I am supposedly a super-taster but after a childhood of being forced to eat sprouts, I have grown to like the brassicaceae. Maybe not sprouts in particular, although I am growing some this year for the first time ever. They are a while off harvesting, though.
Growing out of chaos 
Hairy Bittercress sound more like a failed marketing campaign then something you would eat. I’m grinning a little at the name, but I’m impressed, too, that you found something growing that you can use year round. Nicely done!
Thank you, Alys! It does have an unfortunate name, doesn’t it?
I have lots of this – never tried eating it though – will give it a try
Yes, do. If you like cress, this is nice and of course requires no work on your part!
I do’n’ think I’ve ever heard of hairy bittercress…and I don’t think I have any, either! But will look for it now that I know what it is/tastes like.
It might not have got to the Americas, but you might see it about.
Interesting. And looks quite tasty. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, it is tasty. So, no more bought cress seeds for me, considering the abundance which grows naturally on my doorstep!
Hairy bittercress .. doesn’t sound too inviting at all 🙂
Not sure why it’s got that name lol.
This is one that seems to have passed me by – thanks for the info. 🙂
Glad you found it! No doubt you will have some growing in your garden 😊.
I’m sure we do! 🙂
I didn’t know you can eat it, it seems to have passed me by. We seem to have plenty of chickweed about so I really should pick some – just don’t feel like salad.
I’ve not tried chickweed! Hairy bittercress is basically cress. It’s more fiddly, which is probably why the kind normally eaten was developed 😊
Yes, it seems to be the way with most of the foraged food. Chickweed is so short it can be a bit gritty unless well washed.
😊
The other thing about foraged food is that it seems full of nutrients compared to the domesticated varieties. I really should do more, as I keep saying. Looks like we are going to have a good crop of nettles this year…
Nettles are excellent for nutrition. I love nettle soup 😊
Yes, it’s one of my favourites.
That’s good to hear 😊