I was wary when picking Hogweed for the first time as I'd read so many disturbing accounts of poisoning and/or burning from Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), it really is a very nasty invasive species.
Warning:
- Giant Hogweed is highly phototoxic and the sap causes phytophotodermatitis in humans, resulting in blisters, long-lasting scars, high sensitivity to UV light and blindness if in contact with eyes.
- Please see this information on how to treat your skin when if coming in to contact with Giant Hogweed; http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72556.html
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For a great online ID document, please click here -> Hogweed/Giant Hogweed Identification
Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum):
The mum and dog in front of some very poisonous Giant Hogweed |
Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium):
Warning(ish):
Some people are sensitive to Hogweed, myself being one of them - if I have been picking Hogweed shoots and happen to rub my face, I can feel a slight warming of the areas touched - a similar feeling as a hot chilli being rubbed on bare skin. This warming soon disappears and I have never really thought anything of it, however, if you have particularly sensitive skin or are picking large quantities, it would perhaps be advisable to wear gloves when picking Hogweed shoots.
Common Hogweed flower heads. Photo taken 30/05/12 |
Photo taken 30/05/12 |
Perfect for the plate. Photo taken 22/10/14 |
Pick only the young vivid green shoots |
Hairy stem - not spiky like Giant Hogweed. Although the stem has a red tinge, it doesn't have red blotches, which is a telltale sign of Giant Hogweed. |
New shoots coming up from a cut back plant. Photo taken 22/10/14 |
Look at the base of the plant for the new shoots |
Hogweed leaf structure - a darker colour, smoother and more rounded than Giant Hogweed |
Flowering in October |
Chestnut / Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa):
I'm sure this needs no introduction for most people, but here's a few pointers anyway. Make sure you're not picking Horse Chestnuts (conkers) - these have shells with few soft green spines, whereas Sweet Chestnuts have extremely dense spikes on their outer shell. These are delicious eaten raw - once peeled, make sure you scratch away the bitter outer skin using a knife, it really does ruin the taste.
When cooking tempura Hogweed, it is better to pick the more unfurled, leafy shoots, as there is more surface for the batter to stick to, making them much crunchier and more satisfying to eat. The smaller shoots are probably better when using as a veg (i.e. steaming / cooking in butter). See pic below for the difference.
How to roast a Chestnut:
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees C
- Cut a cross in the skin - easiest way is to lay the Chestnut flat side down and score the curved side, stops them moving around this way. If you don't score them they will explode in the oven.
- Once scored, lay Chestnuts on a baking tray and put in the oven for around 30/40 minutes - until the inside is golden
Unfortunately the prep has only just begun, as you now have to sort the sweet inner Chestnut from the tough outer shell, be warned, this can take some time and you'll get Chestnut pulp all up your fingernails - not nice (but worth it).
Roasted Chestnuts after 35 minutes in the oven |
Chestnut satay ingredients:
- Roasted and peeled Chestnuts
- Red onion
- Garlic
- Veg oil
- Soy sauce
- Fish sauce
- Chilli powder
- Salt and Pepper
- Garlic
- Veg oil
- Soy sauce
- Fish sauce
- Chilli powder
- Salt and Pepper
In a saucepan sweat off the onion and garlic. After the onions are soft, add the Chestnuts, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp fish sauce, 1 tsp chilli powder and a generous glug of veg oil. Cook this through for 5 minutes, if it dries out, add more oil or water, depending on how it is tasting. Season and adjust quantities soy/fish sauce/chilli if necessary - if it's too sweet add some lemon juice. Once you're happy with the taste, blend in a food processor to required consistency, again, add oil/water to adjust this.
Tempura batter ingredients:
- 200ml of lager
- 50g of plain flour
- 50g of cornflower
- Pinch of salt
Firstly, heat up some cheap oil in a pan for deep frying. Test regularly with a small piece of bread - if it fizzes and turns brown in around 45/60 seconds your oil is the correct temperature, turn it down. If it starts smoking or cooks the breadcrumb too vigourously, take off the heat to cool and repeat breadcrumb test. Mix ingredients in a bowl and coat the Hogweed shoots in batter. Don't worry if the batter seems thin, it'll still crisp up. In fact, I think a thinner batter works better with this - you still want to be able to taste the Hogweed. Once coated simply lower in to the oil and cook until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and leave to cool on some kitchen paper. Once cool, scoop a load of roast Chestnut satay up with the crispy tempura Hogweed and enjoy!