Wildcrafting: Manzanita Crackers and Herb Cheese - Saturday, September 24, 2022
September 24: There are many ways manzanita berries can be used for food. In this workshop we will use the ripe red berries to make two different kind of manzanita crackers. We will also make a delicious herb ricotta cheese from scratch as well as manzanita bark tea.
There are 62 manzanita species native to California. You will learn to distinguish between two common manzanitas that you find in the San Diego mountain chaparral. We will talk about which parts of the manzanita are edible and the various ways they have been used in the past. Both the green and ripe red berries are edible and taste like apples. In fact, manzanita is a Spanish word that means little apple. We will work in two teams to make and bake two different manzanita cracker recipes and also make a batch of ricotta cheese and a dry foraged herbal seasoning to sprinkle on top.
Date: Saturday, September 24
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Workshop Location: VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. Due to the gated entry for VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center (22850 Volcan Road, Julian, CA), please plan to arrive between by 9:45.
Activity Fee: $25 per person.
Bring: Water and a snack.
Wildcrafting workshops are held every other month from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
You can contact the VMF office with questions or for more information at 760-765-2300 or contact Janice at education@volcanmt.org.
Wildcrafting is the age-old practice of collecting or harvesting plants from their natural habitat, or “wild” habitat, for food, medicine, or craft. It applies to uncultivated plants wherever they might be found and is not necessarily limited to wilderness areas. Ethical considerations and sustainable behaviors are practiced, such as protecting endangered species and avoiding potential depletion of commonly held resources. The practice of sustainable wildcrafting requires making a commitment to develop your knowledge and connection to the natural landscape, deepen your local sense of place, and take responsibility for its regeneration for future generations. For more information, please watch VMF's 10 Best Practices for Foraging Wild, Edible Plants.