Wild Garlic crisis: a first world problem
According to a report in the Guardian (where else some might suggest..) there is an issue with foraging for wild garlic in some areas of Cornwall.
As the name suggests wild garlic can be found growing in parks, commons, and country lanes (and lots of other places) at this time of year. It usually seems to grow best in slightly damp and shaded areas. It can be bought at some markets but mostly people collect their own for personal cooking.
Its use does seem to have increased considerably in recent times and there is at least one wild garlic cookbook. I don’t recall it appearing in Masterchef or Great British Menu but no doubt its just a matter of time.
I certainly enjoy it in a range of dishes- mostly I should underline created by my partner Megan. We both forage for it in a local park occasionally at this time of year.
The issue in Cornwall seems to be that there are people being paid (not much one suspects) to forage quite large amounts for commercial use and that this might damage supplies in subsequent years. Strictly speaking its not (it appears) legal to do this but I doubt Inspector Knacker will be troubled.
Its very much a first world problem when there are lots of other concerns in the world.
You can also rub the wild garlic leaves in your beard (if you have one) which will perk up the follicles and make them smell of garlic but that’s for another post.
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