Pietrusza Wola, SE Poland, early May 2007

Just after starting the workshops we found a large mass of marsh woundwort's rhizomes (Stachys palustris) stored by a mouse. This species is very tasty after frying, a favourite dish of workshop participants.

The mouse had some horsetail bulbils as well. They are tasty even in the raw state. Don't worry about the mouse, it probably abandoned them already.

We also collected Jerusalem artichoke bulbs (Helianthus tuberosus). This North American plant occurs in a semi-wild state in this valley. They should be thoroughly boiled to avoid excess winds.

Solomon's seal (Polygonatum multiflorum). It is the most valuable source of starch in the Carpathian forests. You can collect 1 kg of its rhizomes in just 30 minutes. Its deadly poisonous when etaen raw, but cooked for a few hours (sliced, with wood ash) tastes like potatoes. The Solomon's seal (related species) rhizome is a traditional vegetable in China, Japan and was used by Native Americans.

Polygonatum rhizomes after preparation. Remember not to gather too much as this is a very slowly growing plants and an average individual may be dozens of years old. That is why you may want to leave half of the rhizome (the one with the pointed growing end) in the ground.

Wild carrots (Daucus carota) are best dug out in ealry spring. It tastes like garden carrots, but the roots are white and branched.

The stalks of this local species of thistle (Carduus personata), after peeling, taste like cucumbers.

Young beech leaves (Fagus sylvatica) are very tasty, slightly sour, later they become bitter. We used them as dumpling filling, together with last year's pickled chanterelles.

Another good dumpling filling are chopped nettles (Urtica dioica), to liven up the dish, you can sprinkle it with soy sauce.

The dumpling queue. Dumpling became an important part of the workshops.

Everyone felt very drowsy after a bowl of dumplings.

Basket making mini-workshops. It seems that the guy has made a traditional Papua New Guinea case for his penis.

Gathering cattail shoots (Typha latifolia), ideal for soups.

Ants boiled with water and salt, in Zimbabwe style.

... Janek loves them, Brygida turns with disgust....

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