Wild Edible Of The Week - Week 42 "Kelp"

Botanical Name : Laminaria saccharina

Common names : Kelp, Sugar Kelp, Sea Belt, Devil's Apron

Physical appearance : Kelp consists of a short, slender stem with a ribbon like "blade" shaped leaf with crinkled edges. The blades grow up to 5 metres in length. The kelp is yellowish brown in colour.

Best places to find : The Atlantic Ocean, The Pacific Ocean,  Barents Sea and around the British Isles. Kelp can be found in tidal areas, at low tide, particularly in rocky coastal areas. Experts would recommend NOT harvesting seaweed close to busy estuaries or areas with heavy industry.

Edible parts : The blades can be eaten raw as a salad and are rich in iodine and can contain up to 46 different trace minerals as well as vitamins A,B,C,D and E.

Time of year : Can be harvested all year round.

Recipe : Can be served in salads, for a nice salty boost. Can also be used to thicken soups, stews and sauces.

Alternative recipe: Kelp noodles.

NB! - Please be sure you know what you are picking, many plants look similar to each other and may be poisonous. If you are unsure, please seek professional instruction! However, please note, most types of seaweed, including those found around the coast of Britain, are not poisonous.

The Bushgear Team

Photo courtesy of Cwmhiraeth , Kamczadalka, NOAA