Acorn Pancakes, Dandelion Salad and 38 Other Wild Recipes by Jean Craighead George

This book probably sells more copies by it’s title alone, then any other wild food book. It is a cute little hardcover published by Harper Collins Children’s Book Division. They say it is appropriate for ages 4-8. It looks like and is about the size of a children’s book. But I disagree with Harper Collins. Any recipe book involving simmering, frying, baking, and generally using fire and stoves etc. requires adult supervision. I envision the adult cooking this food while the child helps. But any of the books in this section would fit this wonderful purpose.

If your child is mature enough (ages 12+? on up) to safely follow recipes that involve them cooking with adult participation, then this book might work for them. If you are a self-gifter, you know, a person who buys something for someone else, but it is you who will really end up with the gift, then this book might be for you. Most of the plants covered are common and can be found anywhere in North America. This is not a field or identification guide.

Some of the recipes included are: Fiddlehead Pie, Indian Cattail Spoon Bread, Prickly Pear Jelly Roll, and Sweet-and-Sour Lambsquarters. The smallness of this book makes it not such a ‘practical’ buy (it contains only 40 recipes), but the look is sweet, the recipes are fun, and it would make a nice inexpensive gift for a cooking capable friend.

Order a copy from  Amazon