This vastly under-appreciated natural habitat offers all the best wild foods of the seashore, and this tour, held in conjunction with The Rockaway Waterfront Alliance and RISE, is free of charge! The sandy soil is poor, limiting tree- and grass growth, but benefiting other species that can take advantage of the unblocked sun and nutrient-poor soil.
Wild greens will be doing great here, and there are dozens of species that thrive in sunny fields in mid-spring. Pokeweed is well-known in the Deep South, but virtually unknown in NY. Poisonous raw, “Wildman” will instruct participants how to prepare it properly. His Vegan Poke Sallet will still cause death, only those who try it will die of happiness!
Pokeweed Shoot
This native species saved the lives of thousands of 19th Century pioneers and slaves by supplying vitamin A, unavailable when there were no farm greens in the winter and spring.
Another tasty green is sheep sorrel. The arrow-shaped leaf looks like a sheep’s face. Loaded with vitamin C, this one tastes lemony — not ba-a-a-a-d!
The fields in the empty lots will also provide curly (yellow) dock (no relation to Moe Dock or Larry Dock—Nyuck! Nyuck! Nyuck!), garlic mustard, field garlic, poor man's pepper, milkweed shoots, and greenbrier.
Greenbrier Shoots
Piquant and crisp, the leaves and shoots of this common native vine are unbelievably tasty and nutritious.
There will also be leathery leaves of the northern bayberry bush, which you use like bay leaves, in soups, sauces, and bean dishes.
Note:
- Participants should be dressed for the weather, and be aware of very bad subway service. Trains are often canceled due to track work.
- No sandals (there are mosquitoes, thorns, and poison ivy). Everyone should have plastic bags for veggies and herbs, paper bags for mushrooms, which spoil in plastic, containers for berries from late spring through fall, water and lunch, and extra layers when it's cold. Digging implements and pocket knives are optional.
- Dogs are permitted. Children are encouraged to attend.
- There's no smoking whatsoever at any time.
School Notes:
If you can't attend the class you signed up for, please call or email "Wildman" Steve Brill a day before the start of the class. No-call/no-show creates an inconvenience to all participants since we can’t tell if absentees are having transportation issues, and this delays the start of the tour/class.
Kindly note that price posted is our suggested donation only.