Just upstream from where I harvest ramps, I found a nice patch of watercress, a perennial green which grows wild in shallow areas of streams and has a wonderful peppery taste.
Watercress is especially tender in the spring, and can be used fresh in salads, or as an ingredient in soup. It is high in vitamin C and minerals. It can be used all season, but once it flowers, it may become bitter.
Foraging Watercress
Be sure that you know the source of the water from which you are harvesting and that the water is clean. Don’t harvest downstream from any industrial plants or large farms.
Manure may cause the water to have liver flukes, a parasite which may infect people.
The roots of the watercress grow in the water, with the leaves growing just above the water. I find it easiest to harvest the watercress using scissors, cutting the plant just at the level of the water. Leaving the roots assures a future crop, and makes clean up at home a lot easier.
Be sure when you are cutting watercress that you don’t cut other, non-edible plants as well.
Wash the watercress in cold water, removing any remaining roots or other debris. Adding 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide per quart of water will kill any bacteria. Allow the watercress to sit in the water for about 20 minutes before draining and rinsing.
Watercress Soup
This delicious watercress soup recipe uses 4 cups of cleaned watercress. I use homemade chicken (or beef) bone broth as the base, and potatoes and heavy cream make this a creamy treat.
More Than Weeds
A Foraging eCourse for Beginners
Are you interested in foraging, but a bit hesitant because you don’t trust your own abilities? I created a mini eCourse just for you. In More Than Weeds: 5 Common Plants to Forage for Food and Medicine you’ll learn that identifying plants is all in the details.
Using common plants with which may be someone familiar you’ll learn beginner botany skills that you will be able to use as you move forward. You’ll gain confidence to use these plants for your family in food and safe, home remedies. Get started now!
More Posts You’ll Love
How to Make Beef Bone Broth with Roasted Bones
Making Chicken Bone Broth in a Slow Cooker
Ramps and Potato Soup
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Potato Cabbage Soup
Cheesy Broccoli Soup
Italian Meatball Soup
Homemade Creamy Watercress Soup
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion chopped
- 6 cups beef or chicken bone broth
- 4 large potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups young watercress leaves and stems cleaned
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Saute the chopped onion in butter until translucent.
- Add the chicken broth, cubed potatoes and seasonings.
- Simmer until the potatoes are tender.
- Add the watercress and simmer for several more minutes.
- Blend your soup with an immersion blender, or very carefully in a regular blender.
- Remove from the heat and stir in a cup of heavy cream.
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Deb says
Oh, how exciting! It looks delicious! (I wonder how it would taste with those ramps you picked downstream!)
Susan says
I think it would be heavenly, but I wanted to get the full watercress taste in this batch.
Mary@Back to the Basics! says
YUM! This looks like a delicious and nutritious meal or snack. I’ll have to try this after our farmer’s market.
Thanks for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist!
Loriel @ Healthy Roots, Happy Soul says
Thank you for sharing this with us on Tuned-in Tuesday Blog Hop! Hope to see you again! http://www.healthyrootshappysoul.com/2013/04/tuned-in-tuesday-blog-hop-7.html
Jenny says
How lovely! I don’t think we live in an area where we could forage for watercress but I would like to try growing it. Thanks again for linking up to the HomeAcre Hop.
http://blackfoxhomestead.com/the-homeacre-hop/