Wild herbs
Fireweed
Fireweed grows in nutrient-rich areas, e.g. along rivers, but also in forest clearings and after forest fires it will be one of the first to take over the new area. Fireweed is a beautiful upright plant that gets a purple flower in June–July. When it appears in April, it has a distinctive violet hue on leaf and stem. The whole plant is edible, but the oblong leaves are less delicate than the stem. The flavour is slightly bitter, but prepared with just a little butter, it is a delicate vegetable that can be collected in large quantities. Pick them until the point where they snap – the same principle as with asparagus. The best time to pick fireweed is in early spring, typically in April.
Similar ingredients
Wild Garlic
The forest floor's garlic – a cornerstone of New Nordic cuisine, from leaves to capers from seeds.
Ground Elder
Lush plant that covers the forest floor – herb when young, vegetable when mature.
Dandelion
Sun-loving with toothed leaves and yellow flowers – bitter, but good with heat and fat.