Rating: 
Summary: Foraging is Fun
Review: I am not a forager, but recieved this book as a gift. I live on several acres which include nuts, berries, and fruit which I pick in their season. The friend who gave me this book obviously saw more potential in my land than these obvious delicacies. Since reading Robin Henderson's book, The Neighbourhood (they spelled the title incorrectly) Forager, I am beginning to see this potential as well. I've many of the trees, shrubs and weeds refered to in this book in my yard, let alone in the fields. Beer and wine, salads and soups, teas and remedies can be complemented by my backyard discoveries. Some new hobbies and cookbooks require heavy investment after the cost of the book. The nice part about this book is that you've already got what you need. The black and white photos as well as colour plates are great. I said, "Hey, we've got some of that!" several times. I can't say that I am a forager yet, but it's fun to play with and the book makes it easy.
Rating:
Summary: Fresh and Fun
Review: I haven't met many people who can point out at least ten different plants in the average yard and can tell you how to cook them. Mr. Henderson does an outstanding job of identifying wild, and not-so-wild, edibles common to almost every neighborhood. His recipes are easy to follow and delicious.Even if you are not planning to run right out to the nearest shrub and harvest its leaves for dinner, I recommend this book. Mr. Henderson's prose is worth reading, whatever the content. His witty, humorous style enlivens a book full of excellent information.
Rating:
Summary: Fresh and Fun
Review: I haven't met many people who can point out at least ten different plants in the average yard and can tell you how to cook them. Mr. Henderson does an outstanding job of identifying wild, and not-so-wild, edibles common to almost every neighborhood. His recipes are easy to follow and delicious. Even if you are not planning to run right out to the nearest shrub and harvest its leaves for dinner, I recommend this book. Mr. Henderson's prose is worth reading, whatever the content. His witty, humorous style enlivens a book full of excellent information.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: I was amazed at all the information this book gave me. I have learned so many things, to see all the bounty we can have in our own backyard! Practical and easy to read. I recommend this book to all nature and food lovers.
Rating:
Summary: Foraging is Fun
Review: In The Neighborhood Forager: A Guide For The Wild Food Gourmet, Robert Henderson demonstrates that foraging for wild edibles is not difficult, nor does it require special equipment or traveling to some distant swamp or forest. Indeed, there is a bounty of harvestable foodstuffs to be found in the suburbs or the city. Profusely illustrated throughout, The Neighborhood Forager is organized into chapters based on plant type and is a complete "how to" introduction for the novice wild edibles gatherer covering hundreds of widespread, delicious, nutritious species of plants within easy reach of everyone. Henderson provides complete harvesting and drying tips; dyers notes for making natural dyes from plants); foraging advisors (identifying poisonous plans and "look-alikes"); more than 30 creative recipes; details on preserving and cooking; traditional and medicinal uses (with instructions for making herbal teas and other tonics), and more. From Mediterranean Turkey with Conifer Tips, Spruce Beer, and Marigold Vinegar, to Elderflower Champagne, Wild Greens Rockefeller, and Walnut Pickles, The Neighborhood Forager is a unique and practical guide for the wild food gourmet.
Rating:
Summary: Unique, practical guide for the wild food gourmet!
Review: In The Neighborhood Forager: A Guide For The Wild Food Gourmet, Robert Henderson demonstrates that foraging for wild edibles is not difficult, nor does it require special equipment or traveling to some distant swamp or forest. Indeed, there is a bounty of harvestable foodstuffs to be found in the suburbs or the city. Profusely illustrated throughout, The Neighborhood Forager is organized into chapters based on plant type and is a complete "how to" introduction for the novice wild edibles gatherer covering hundreds of widespread, delicious, nutritious species of plants within easy reach of everyone. Henderson provides complete harvesting and drying tips; dyers notes for making natural dyes from plants); foraging advisors (identifying poisonous plans and "look-alikes"); more than 30 creative recipes; details on preserving and cooking; traditional and medicinal uses (with instructions for making herbal teas and other tonics), and more. From Mediterranean Turkey with Conifer Tips, Spruce Beer, and Marigold Vinegar, to Elderflower Champagne, Wild Greens Rockefeller, and Walnut Pickles, The Neighborhood Forager is a unique and practical guide for the wild food gourmet.
Rating: 
Summary: A guide to the wild edibles of city and suburb!
Review: People tend to assume that foraging--the art of gathering food and medicine from the wild-- is a strictly rural hobby. Certainly most guidebook writers do. However, residential areas offer more botanical diversity, and therefore richer pickings, than the average forest or meadow. From vacant city lots to tree-lined suburban developments, every neighbourhood boasts a full range of delicious and useful wild and ornamental plants. "The Neighborhood Forager" will tell you what they are, where to find them, and how to use them. "The Neighborhood Forager" is organised according to plant type (conifers, broadleaf trees, flowers, peripherals, and greens and roots), and the chapters, fully illustrated with colour and black and white photos and line drawings, are arranged alphabetically by genus. Each of the more than sixty entries includes interesting anecdotes from natural and human history, tips on preparation and cooking, and more than thirty provocative recipes. Mediterranean Turkey with Conifer Tips, Sourdough Crêpes Stuffed with Ham and Dock, Mulberry Summer Pudding, Spruce Beer, Butternut Ketchup, and Marigold Vinegar are just a few of the intriguing foods you'll make from resources growing in and around your own neighbourhood. Each chapter ends with Foraging Advisories providing timely warnings about hazards you may confront, and Dyers' Notes listing natural dyestuffs common to residential areas. A product of the bays and forests of the Pacific Northwest, I have made ethnobotany and rural history my lifelong passion. I've been interested in local First Nations and pioneer traditions since childhood, and as an adult have explored those of other regions of North America as well. I have also been fortunate to immerse myself in rural Latin American and European cultures. All of these experiences are represented in "The Neighborhood Forager." In addition to writing books and articles on wild edibles and traditional foods, I speak to groups and teach courses on these topics. If you get half as much enjoyment from reading this book as I got from researching and writing it, it'll be money well-spent.
Rating:
Summary: The complete guide to suburban wild edibles.
Review: People tend to assume that foraging--the art of gathering food and medicine from the wild-- is a strictly rural pastime. Certainly most guidebook writers do. However, residential areas offer more botanical diversity, and therefore richer pickings, than the average forest or meadow. From vacant city lots to tree-lined suburban developments, every neighbourhood boasts a full range of delicious and useful wild and ornamental plants. "The Neighborhood Forager" will tell you what they are, where to find them, and how to use them. "The Neighborhood Forager" is organised according to plant type (conifers, broadleaf trees, flowers, peripherals, and greens and roots), and the chapters, fully illustrated with colour and black and white photos and line drawings, are arranged alphabetically by genus. Each of the more than sixty entries includes interesting anecdotes from natural and human history, tips on preparation and cooking, and more than thirty provocative recipes. Mediterranean Turkey with Conifer Tips, Sourdough Crêpes Stuffed with Ham and Dock, Mulberry Summer Pudding, Spruce Beer, Butternut Ketchup, and Marigold Vinegar are just a few of the intriguing foods you'll make from resources growing in and around your own neighbourhood. Each chapter ends with Foraging Advisories providing timely warnings about hazards you may confront, and Dyers' Notes listing natural dyestuffs common to residential areas. A product of the bays and forests of the Pacific Northwest, I have made ethnobotany and rural history my lifelong passion. I've been interested in local First Nations and pioneer traditions since childhood, and as an adult have explored those of other regions of North America as well. I have also been fortunate to immerse myself in rural Latin American and European cultures. All of these experiences are represented in "The Neighborhood Forager." In addition to writing books and articles on wild edibles and traditional foods, I speak to groups and teach courses on these topics. If you get half as much enjoyment from reading this book as I got from researching and writing it, it'll be money well-spent.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Know What to Do With That Weed? Eat It!
Review: The Neighborhood Forager is a very informative and enjoyable book. It not only tells about the plants in our backyards and by-ways but gives historical information, recipes, warnings and dyer's tips. Mr. Henderson writes with humor and personal anecdotes which makes the book a good read even if you're not into foraging.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Know What To Do With That Weed? Eat It!
Review: This book is highly informative about plants growing in our yards and the countryside around us. Mr. Henderson writes with humor but is still serious about his subject. The book is a good read even if you're not interested in foraging. It includes bits of history about foodstuffs as well as carefully documented warnings about eating strange things. I found the recipes enticing and the information on dyes an extra plus.
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