John Roman
Survival Dinner: Wild Edibles You can Consume this Fall
If you’re ever in a desperate situation where you’re stuck in the wild and need food immediately, it’s helpful to know what you can and cannot consume. Foraging for food in the wild can be life-threatening if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Take a look at these plants that you’ll definitely want to grab if you see them:
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Cattails. Cattails are high-quality edibles filled with vitamins A, B, and C, as well as phosphorous, and potassium. Almost all of the plant can be eaten. It’s not the top part of the plant you want to eat, but the roots, stems, and leaves.
- Acorns. These nuts can be found around mature oak trees and are a great source of calories and fat. Just be careful to mash up the acorns and run them through cold water to get the bitter tannins out. While raw, bitter acorns may be okay to consume in very small amounts in an emergency situation, but you should try your best to make sure the bitterness is completely gone.
- Wild onions. These buds are present in the grass year-round and can be easily identified by smelling the root.
- Dandelions. Even though they’re an obnoxious weed to homeowners, the dandelion’s leaves, seeds, flower and roots can be eaten and will provide you with much needed calories in an emergency situation. Leaves from the dandelion can also be boiled to make a tea that will help keep you hydrated.
