Re: foraging/wild food

**E* Z* <e*@acmeplant.com>**

My top two recommendations are written by authors who do not live in the eastern U.S., but every plant in each of the books is abundant here.  Truth is that many wild edibles are available across similar temperate zones.  

Sam Thayer is the author of two fantastic books: Nature's Garden and The Forager's Harvest.  He's located in WI, but the plants he covers are readily available across the U.S., including the east.  Sam's writing style is engaging (sometimes hilarious), his photography is excellent, and his information is based both in science and personal experience.

John Kallas (located in WA) wrote Edible Wild Plants - Wild Foods from Dirt to Plate.  Like Sam's books, this features excellent photography and very complete information based in both science and personal experience.  John has a slightly less opinionated writing style and his book focusses primarily on greens.  He also includes more nutritional facts.  It is the first in a series which will eventually encompass a wider range of plants.

Both books have chosen depth over breadth.  They include excellent color photography of the plants at various stages of growth, in situ, and in the kitchen.  These are much more than mere field guides.  Too many foraging books parrot information that is obviously culled from other resources rather than personal experience, and many mistakes have been passed along this way.  Both Sam and John can be relied upon for accurate, exhaustively researched information.

I probably own 100 books on foraging and wild edibles; these two authors are my go-to guys.  Every serious forager I know, east or west, has their books on their shelves.

LN

P.S.  This time next year, you'll be able to include my foraging book on your list.  Storey Publishing 12/12!  

On Dec 10, 2011, at 7:37 AM, Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp wrote:

> Does anyone know of a book about foraging for wild food in the Eastern United States? Can find some for the west, but not for the east. Thank you.
> 
> jems
> 
> ____________________
> Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
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