Trackers PDX Blog

5 foods for fall family harvest

21st

August

Fall is here. What's coming up to pick? What should you read up and research more about to keep your family well fed?

1) Apples, pears and more My wife Molly will be annoyed at me for passing this on. She walks around the neighborhoods and considers every abandoned fruit tree hers. She wouldn't want me to create more "gleaners". Well, not really, but this obsessive focus in picking, drying and preserving was one of the first things that endeared me to her. Luckily, we now have a 130 year old apple tree at the new Trackers Homestead where we'll be living. So the fruits of Portland are all yours. Things you can do: dry, press into cider, can, applesauce, ferment (grownups only)

2) Chestnuts Many people pick these for market along our urban streets, so get there early. I usually arrived at my prime trees around 7am. The next day the market pickers would get there around 6:30am. So I would get there around 6am, they would respond with 5:30am, I finally increased the bid to 4am. They stopped bothering.

Just remember, a Horse Chestnut is toxic, that is NOT the one you harvest. Find a picture of horse chestnut here

The one you want is a "Sweet" Chestnut: either an Orchard Chestnut (Chinese, Japanese or European) or the American Chestnut. For long-term storage I like the Orchard Chestnuts. For just eating right at harvest I prefer the American Chestnut. Unfortunately, nowadays the American Chestnuts rare due to an introduced fungus. I know where there are some, but I'm not telling. (I don't want to see you there at 3:30am). Find a picture of Sweet Chestnuts here

The prickly spines of the Sweet Chestnut husk can be a challenge, bring gloves or better yet, roll the nut with your shoe before you pick it up (wear soft soles) and if its ready, it will quickly release from the husk.

3) Edible Mushrooms Again, you need to know precisely what your doing. The extended network of my Italian family has hunted mushrooms in this valley for decades. Inexperienced people can have disastrous results. Take it slow and only pick when you ABSOLUTELY know! Please don't let any of this advice scare you away from wild foods. Let it be an opportunity to connect with experts and learn from competent people. Check out the list of upcoming educational events from the Oregon Mycological Society

Also, you MUST see this video on 6 ways mushrooms can save the world

4) Acorns There are quite a variety of oaks trees. Our urban planted varieties can be much more bitter then our native Oregon White Oak. Leaching can help them all. Though washing the bitterness from acorns is where some confusion can set in. Just remember, whenever you find a thousand wildcrafters disagreeing how you should do something, it often means there are a thousand good ways of doing what they adamantly disagree about. Keep it simple. Chop, mash or grind the acorns. Steep and drain. Steep and drain. See how they taste and maybe leach them some more. That's part of the fun of wild foods, finding the method that works best for you. Then you can use the dried flour in acorn muffins, pancakes and Shaun Deller's personal favorite, "Acorn Breaded Roasted Squirrel". (How do you get the squirrel? Maybe that's the next blog.) Remember, like any wild food don't go harvest a ton all at once, experiment with a little bit and see if you actually like it.

5) Rose Hips Since we live in the Rose City, what better way to end a blog about urban fall edibles then with the fruits of our favorite flower? Many say rose hips are ripe AFTER they have been touched by frost. Which is great, a fruit you can harvest after the hulaboo of the other edibles has passed. Things you can make: tea, jams, jellies and juice.

Please remember When harvesting any plants you MUST be 100% sure of identification. Learn about the leaves, fruits, toxic potential and all other characteristics. Plus, check multiple sources and confirm their validity. While the internet is a wealth of information, there are never guarantees that what you read is correct. Still, do not let the need for diligent research scare you off. Rounds of harvest through any season bonds a family together better then any activity. I strongly encourage you to start modest and throughout the years work your way forward to a bounty of wild foods both in fall and beyond.

Family Open House...

Cabin Open House Free or donation based The purpose of the Cabin Open House is to give families an opportunity to explore the Trackers Homestead and our programs. We offer fun guided activities yet the greater goal is to simply discover good times and gathering with our families and friends. Trackers instructors will also be working individual craft projects, making it a perfect time to talk about both our youth and adult programs and have a picnic with your family. In the evening we have a down home wild foods potluck and dance the night away. Located only 9 miles outside of Sandy, Oregon, our Trackers Homestead is the perfect place for families to enjoy a day. On 3 acres of land set for permaculture design and homesteading and adjacent to Audubon Society of Portland's 400 acre wildlife refuge we have room to ranch and wander the wilderness. Learn more or RSVP

The Schedule for September 5 Cabin Open House...

10am-11:30am Pancake and outdoor griddle breakfast. Bring a topping. Coffee and pancakes provided
11:30am-12:30pm Trackers explorations of the Wildlife Refuge

12:30pm-1:30pm Picnic lunches. Families bring your own lunch
1:30pm-4:30pm Apple picking and pressing from the 130 year old apple tree with free and open family exploration

5:30pm-6:30pm Wild and local foods potluck. Bring your favorite dish made from wild or local foods 

6:30pm-7:30pm Rollicking dancing good time hoe down

8pm-9pm Fun around the campfire
Learn more or RSVP

Kids program calendar...

Preschool, Home School and After School Courses Kayaking, Skills of Rangers and Elves, Wilderness Survival and Homesteading Arts. Plus an entire day the the Trackers Homestead, playing, living and learning on the wild and farm.

Preschool Program for Ages 4-6
Home School Programs for Ages 6-18
After School Programs for Ages 6-18

Boatbuilding and Woodworking For tweens and teens, over 6 weeks, 2 days a week. Build your own kayak, learn woodworking and shop basics. Courses for Saturdays, home school or parent with child.

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