Foraging for Edibles on Obscura Day

It was a gorgeous day on the first day of Spring - sunny and warm. We weren't sure exactly what to expect when we signed up for foraging with "Wildman" Steve Brill in Forest Park, Queens. It was Obscura Day, and we wanted to do something to celebrate. It turned out to be a terrific day, fun and educational.

Steve was personable and charming, and very knowledgeable about the herbs, greens, roots, and mushrooms along the Forest Park Trail. We collected garlic mustard, black birch, mugwort, and wild chervil. But the highlight of the day was finding sassafras, which smells exactly like root beer, and actually was the original source of root beer. Unfortunately, we weren't able to find any sweet cicely, which is supposed to taste like black licorice. Steve shared some of his home-made vegan recipes including curry sunflower seeds and "chocolate" ice cream.

Steve also serenaded us by sort of blowing into his hands - hard to explain. Check out "Wildman" Steve Brill's website.

Celebrate Obscura Day!

March 20, 2010 has been designated as Obscura Day - an international celebration of wondrous, curious, and esoteric places. Sounds right up my alley.

Some of the suggestions sound wonderful and creepy like the Kansas Underground Salt Museum, the poison garden at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, and the massive unfinished storm drain in Tokyo. I signed up for the Forest Park event called Urban Foraging. A bit geeky but I'm sure it will be fun!

Check out the Obscura Day website for expeditions in your home town.