If you’ve ever gone foraging in Virginia, good reads (books) were important in learning what was in season, what to look for, and how to prepare and eat what you found. This post is about four great publications (three by current Virginians) that you will want to put on your book wish list, if you haven’t already!
My youngest daughter and I recently made it up to Washington, DC. The reasons were many: I wanted to see the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and ponds, which were in full bloom (see recent post). We both wanted to see the France versus Spain futbol game watch party in front of the U.S. Capitol, and the “From These Lands” exhibit at the Natural History museum at the Smithsonian.
A big attraction of the exhibit for me was seeing forager extraordinaire Alexis Nikole Nelson’s video.
She presented a short tutorial on Yaupon holly, which is the only caffeine-producing plant that is native to North America. Yes, you can grow Camellia sinensis, which is the plant from which we get white, green, and black tea.
You can also grow coffee in very southern areas of the United States and in Hawaii. But neither Coffee nor Camellia sinensis tea are native to Virginia. Eastern Africa is the home of coffee, and East and Southeast Asia is where Tea (Camellia sinensis) originated.
If you’re in Virginia, Yaupon Holly is your plant if you need a caffeine fix and can’t grow coffee, tea or Coca-cola.
In addition to the short and informative tutorial, there were other great offerings and information from each of the states and territories. This was part of the America’s 250th anniversary program at the Smithsonian.
I also wanted to see if there would be any information about her upcoming book in the exhibit. There wasn’t (that I found), but now that you know about it, you can pre-order it here!
Her book is called “Happy Snacking, Don’t Die”, which is how she signs out of her videos on Instagram. She’s great. And while she assuredly doesn’t need any help from me promoting her books and her Instagram tutorials, I’m sharing them regardless, because they are 100% magnificent!
Yes, this post is supposed to be about books by and for Virginia foragers. And yes, Black Forager is actually from Ohio (where my paternal grandmother came from).
A modest consideration
But (as the crow flies and flies) Ohio is really not too far up the Appalachian mountain range from us. Many (most, even) of the plants she covers grow throughout most of our great state as well. If you’re not familiar with Black Forager, you should be. She is educational, musical, and thoroughly delightful. Her short foraging tutorials invite you to see your neighborhood as an extended garden of abundance.
See her Instagram which is full of seasonally-appropriate information and recipes, or buy the book!
Admittedly, I haven’t seen the book yet. But….if it’s 1/10th as entertaining as the videos she posts, it will be PHENOMENAL (Yes, I am a Black Forager fangirl. And I know I am NOT alone:)
Foraging in Virginia
While looking specifically for Virginia authors, you should also be familiar with Vicki Shufer, Gabrielle Cerberville, and Lara Call Gastinger. Specifically, these three authors are well-versed in finding, eating and drawing native plants. And they all have newer books of note.
Foraging mushrooms in Virginia: A good read
Another forager who has a heavy Instagram presence is mushroom expert Gabrielle Cerberville. After hearing Gabrielle speak on our local public radio station WTJU, I was fascinated. She spoke pointedly about foraging food, preparing it for dinners and writing music to accompany the dinners. Though I wish I could link that interview here, I could no longer find it. (It was on in 2022? 2023? If anyone knows, please send me that information!)
I was thrilled to learn that not only does she live in Virginia, but she’s also a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia, where I teach gardening.
And…there’s a book!
Despite missing a few opportunities to see her speak in person, I did get a signed copy of her marvelous book from a dear friend. That book is called “Gathered: On foraging, feasting, and the seasonal life“.
This publication is highly recommended, especially if you live in Central Virginia. If you want meditations on living more intentionally with the seasons, check it out. “A signed copy of “Gathered” was a gift from my friend Amanda, and though I’ve not yet seen The Chaotic Forager speak in person, I do hope to catch her sometime, while she’s still living in Virginia!
The Perpetual Journal
This newly released book by Charlottesville artist extraordinaire Lara Call Gastinger is representative of the years she has lived in, hiked and drawn the natural world all around her.
Lara is the person that Illustrated most of the plants in all of Virginia Flora, which is a thick compendium (and available in app form) of all of the native plants in the state of Virginia. Drawing almost every plant native to Virginia was not a small undertaking. She said it took her about 10 years to draw those plants.
A great intro to illustration and the perpetual journal
Additionally, almost every week for YEARS, Lara has led live sketching every from 11 to 11 45 a.m. on Mondays. People from all around the world sketch along with others online, or just watch Lara sketch. She gives tips on how to draw a certain plant, but you can draw whatever you want.
People talk about what they’re drawing. They talk about which plants they’ve seen, the weather, the best art supplies for sketching or painting in watercolors.
Conversation about plant’s medicinal properties and insects show up a pretty good amount, as well. Much of the reason we grow these plants is to attract certain insects which feed on these Keystone species that then, in turn, help feed the wildlife around us.
Foraging in Virginia for food, and for subject matter
Keeping a perpetual journal (a joirnal based by the week and good for multiple years) is a fantastic thing to do. This book is just beautiful, and will lead you to realize that all of us are artistic. And there is beauty all around us. It’s just about perspective.
A great introduction to foraging, in Virginia and beyond
One last book which came out recently is Vickie Shufer’s book about Wildwoods Farm and foraging.
Vickie Schufer was the first professional forager I ever met. I lived in in Virginia Beach 30 years ago, and my friends Ryan, Shelly and Beth recommended her educational walk on the coast and in the woods. I took them up on the suggestion, and was not disappointed.
Many times we would go out to Seashore State Park, which then became First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. More than once, we gathered up food from there and created pre- Thanksgiving Feasts to rival any other actual- Thanksgiving dinners I’ve attended.
You gotta eat it to believe it
Something about eating an entirely foraged meal with strangers creates a bond. And the energy that’s created from eating local and wild food gathered by friends and affable strangers while laughing in a place you may have already been a thousand times? It is incomparable.
You know, afterward, we’re all sitting around looking each other, just laughing because we harvested this food griwing as it has for thousands of years . It is such a gift.
Books, products, plants and foraging walks: Check out Wildwood Farms
After producing Wild Foods Forum, a magazine she wrote every two months Vickie then swotched to printing it every new season for many, many years. Now, she has turned part of that information into this book. Not only does the book document what you can find and forage in Virginia every month, but it also informs about each plant, complete with wonderful recipes.
Two of my favorite recipes that I ever learned from Vickie Shufer were chickweed pesto and Lamb’s quarters lasagna.
Foraged Foods for Fabulous recipes
Let me tell you: if my kids enjoyed them both when they were not even 10 years old and looked forward to eating it, you have to know these dishes were delicious! There is lot of evidence to recommend foraged foods-availability, healthful minerals. So happy foraging, happy snacking, happy sketching!
I look forward to your own reviews, impressions and comments!
Travelling to the Smithsonian Institute?
Flying: Ronald Reagan airport is the closest place to fly in.
Train: Union Station is just a fifteen-minute walk from the Natural History.
Taking the Metro? Take the Orange Line and get off at the Smithsonian stop.
Driving: Park for less than $30 dollars a day with 24/7 access within 10 minutes walking distance of the National Mall at the Reagan building. Secure, covered with over 2000 spots available: Parking Information | Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Auto Club:I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my auto club I’ve used for over 20 years. Better World Club is the only carbon-neutral auto club that offers discounts for electric and hybrid vehicles, and will service your bicycle as well. Check them out! My car broke down on the way home, and they saved my happy foraging little buttocks! Thank you to these great plant people authors and thank you BWC for being awesome!!!