Nature’s Pantry Revealed: The Versatility of Milkweed and Other Wild Edible Plant Staples with Clay Bowers

Explicit content warning

07/06/23 • 94 min

This episode of the Year of Plenty Podcast is a conversation with Clay Bowers, a passionate forager from Northern Michigan. Clay has been foraging for almost two decades and is well respected in the wild food community. The main topic of this conversation is wild, edible milkweed and its culinary versatility throughout the seasons.
Use code “yearofplenty ” for 15% OFF at www.mtblock.com
Episode Overview:

Clay's process for researching and familiarizing himself with a new edible species
Valuable resources and references that have been particularly helpful in Clay’s foraging journey
A deep dive into milkweed, including its characteristics, ecological significance, historical uses, and the various types of milkweed found in the wild
Discuss the concerns of toxicity and bitterness of milkweed
Essential identification factors and potential lookalikes of milkweed, along with the ideal habitats to find this plant
Clay provides insights into the different parts of milkweed that can be harvested throughout the seasons, as well as his favorite ways to prepare it in the kitchen
Ramps, another fascinating wild edible, are discussed, including Clay's somewhat controversial thoughts on sustainable ramp harvesting
A brief discussion about the tools we use for successful foraging trips and foraging best practices Clay has accumulated over the years

Leave a review on Apple or Spotify and send a screenshot to [email protected] to receive a FREE EBOOK with my favorite food preservation recipes.
NEW BLOG: ULTIMATE FORAGING GEAR LIST - Check it out
Support the podcast via Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/yearofplenty
Sign up for the newsletter:
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Subscribe to the Youtube Channel:
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/poldiwieland/
X: https://x.com/yearofplentypod
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Connect with Clay Bowers, Master Forager:
https://www.instagram.com/clay__bowers/
http://www.nomiforager.com/blog
https://www.youtube.com/@foragingthefifty5899
https://claybowers.substack.com/
Subscribe directly using your podcast app. The show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and many other platforms!
Please rate and review the show in the Apple Podcast and Spotify apps. This always helps the show get ranked so that more curious foodies can explore real food and drink with us.
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Episode Resources:

Clay's process for researching and familiarizing himself with a new edible species
Valuable resources and references that have been particularly helpful in Clay’s foraging journey
A deep dive into milkweed, including its characteristics, ecological significance, historical uses, and the various types of milkweed found in the wild
Discuss the concerns of toxicity and bitterness of milkweed
Essential identification factors and potential lookalikes of milkweed, along with the ideal habitats to find this plant
Clay provides insights into the different parts of milkweed that can be harvested throughout the seasons, as well as his favorite ways to prepare it in the kitchen
Ramps, another fascinating wild edible, are discussed, including Clay's somewhat controversial thoughts on sustainable ramp harvesting
A brief discussion about the tools we use for successful foraging trips and foraging best practices Clay has accumulated over the years

Previous Episode

Quail Diaries: The Hatching Experience, Building a Budget Coop & Lessons Learned

This episode is a conversation with my cohost and partner, Lindey, all about our journey into raising coturnix quail for eggs and meat on a budget. This is the first episode in a series that will follow us on our journey and we are excited to share what we learn in the coming months.
Use code “yearofplenty ” for 15% OFF at www.mtblock.com
Episode Overview:

Why we decided to go with quail over other birds like chickens and ducks
The pros and cons of raising quail for eggs and meat
How we built an ultra-budget quail coop
What the hatching process was like for us and what we can do better next time
Future plans with our coturnix quail

Leave a review on Apple or Spotify and send a screenshot to [email protected] to receive a FREE EBOOK with my favorite food preservation recipes.
NEW BLOG: ULTIMATE FORAGING GEAR LIST - Check it out
Support the podcast via Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/yearofplenty
Sign up for the newsletter:
www.theyearofplenty.com/newsletter
Subscribe to the Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@yearofplentyvideo
Do you follow the podcast on social media yet?
IG: https://www.instagram.com/poldiwieland/
X: https://x.com/yearofplentypod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyearofplenty/
Subscribe directly using your podcast app. The show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and many other platforms!
Please rate and review the show in the Apple Podcast and Spotify apps. This always helps the show get ranked so that more curious foodies can explore real food and drink with us.
I want to hear from you! Take the LISTENER SURVEY: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KZW53RT

Next Episode

Ocean to Plate: Spearfishing Adventures and Sustainable Seafood with Valentine Thomas

In this episode, we delve into the thrilling world of spearfishing with none other than Valentine Thomas, a former London lawyer turned sustainable spearfisher woman. A renowned expert in the field, Valentine has not only mastered the art of spearfishing but has also become an influential advocate for sustainable food practices.
Use code “yearofplenty ” for 15% OFF at www.mtblock.com
Episode Overview:

How did Valentine Thomas got started with spearfishing?
Spearfishing tactics and what the initial investment looks like
Where to go spearfish as a beginner?
Why farmed salmon is not always a bad thing
An overview of her new book called Good Catch: A Guide to Sustainable Fish and Seafood with Recipes from the World's Oceans
A sneak peek into some of the recipes in the book
How to cook odd bits of fish like head, bone marrow, skin, scales, and more?
How to properly store fish once you bring it home?
How to cook fish over a fire?
The future of sustainable seafood consumption
Valentine tells one of her wildest spearfishing stories

Subscribe directly using your podcast app. The show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and many other platforms!
Please rate and review the show in the Apple Podcast and Spotify apps. This always helps the show get ranked so that more curious foodies can explore real food and drink with us.
I want to hear from you! Take the LISTENER SURVEY: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KZW53RT