Food

Teapot dome area.

Food

When we first arrived in Mountain Home (we were headed for Utah and ultimately New Mexico) little did we know what adventures awaited us in a town established far from a reasonable source of water.

As I was wondering and considering the issue I got interested in dowsing and assumed to be able to find a knowledgeable individual who would like to share the subtle skill of dowsing in these parts. That venture proved to be more complicated than I had imagined, but I did connect with the Idaho Dowser's Society where I was able to get a taste of this fine and subtle skill.

Still, thinking about people having survived and settled in a terrain such as this is I was intrigued to learn more about foraging and the local flora available to us.

Slowly and consistently getting more familiar with much of the surrounding area's scenery I started taking photos of the seasonal foods and herbs available and thought I would share my findings with you.

Aside from my camera I have finally given in to carrying a cell phone (this is cat country after all); I bring sampling bags and or a basket if I forage with a particular plant in mind. This would be done on BLM land or asked for permission if I intended to harvest nature's bounty on other people's property.

This time of year is ideal for berry picking and one very common and noticeable one's is the blue elderberry (Sambucus Cerulea)

They are rich in Vitamin A, Calcium, Thiamine and Niacin. The berries are tart when they're raw, don't eat them until they're cooked. I like to make syrup out of them, and someday perhaps I'll try to make wine.