Hogweed Bud Salad

Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) can be found on roadsides, edges of fields and wastelands. Although the plant might not look very appetising the young shoots or unopened buds are delicious. They look a bit like broccoli and taste a bit like parsley. We use them in a delicious and Vitamin C rich salad.

You need:

  • 12-24 hogweed buds – lightly steamed if you like

  • 1 small red onion chopped finely

 As a dressing we make Raw cashew mayonnaise

  • 130g Cashews (soaked for a couple of hours, rinsed and drained)

  • 2 tbsp Lemon juice

  • Pinch of Sea salt

  • 1 tbsp spring onions, chopped

  • 125ml water

  • 1 tsp honey or agave syrup

  • 1 tsp cider vinegar

  • A pinch or two of cayenne pepper

  • Bunch of Silverweed herb, chopped finely or herbs of your choice like Dill, Lemon Balm , Basil or Thyme

Blend all ingredients without the silverweed or herbs of your choice in a high speed blender until smooth. Add silverweed or herbs of your choice and blend very briefly.

 Directions:

Steam hogweed buds for a couple of minutes then remove the skin from buds and break or cut in bite-size pieces. Add chopped red onion and cashew mayo and mix well. Either serve immediately or cover, and marinate for a couple of hours in the fridge. Decorate with edible flowers like red clover, wild pansy (heartsease), a couple of rose pedals, nasturtiums, calendula and some red onion rings just before serving.

 Note: This is just a basic recipe. You can also add finely sliced celery, olives, sunflower or pumpkin seeds or any other ingredients of your choice.

Note: Instead of hogweed buds you can use 1-2 heads broccoli (or mix of broccoli and cauliflower). Cut up broccoli florets (or/and cauliflower) into bite-sized pieces, leaving just a little stem.

 

 

 

saladsNeantog Farmsalads