OXFORD residents have learnt how to spice up their meals by foraging for food in the city’s green fields.

Barracks Lane Community Garden, in East Oxford, took about a dozen residents to Cowley Marsh on Sunday in search of tasty green leaves.

They then cooked up food on an open fire at the garden to show how the foraged leaves could easily be used in meals.

Organiser Julieanne Porter said: “Today was about sharing knowledge and getting people to grow their confidence and skills to make the most of the food in Oxford.

“Local food is more nutritious, it is tastier and it is better for the environment because it does not travel thousands of miles to reach your plate.

“It is amazing how much is out there. People do not have to leave the ring road.”

She said at this time of year there are many green leaves available, including nettles, sorrel, hedge mustard, and dandelion and lime leaves.

The leaves can be used in soups, risottos, salads and pasta dishes, while some can also be made into teas or wine.

But there are also leaves that are poisonous, including buttercup, arum and hemlock water dropwort, and the foragers were taught to avoid them.

Romilly Swann, 43, from Whitchurch-on-Thames, said: “I am a botanist by training – I grew up eating all these things and having a passion for them.

“A lot of people are interested in foraging but might not have the botanical knowledge and the confidence, and that is why today is such a good idea.”

She added: “You are not going to fill your belly foraging, but all your meals can be made more interesting and exciting.”

Alex Hackett, 21, from Headington, said: “I have dabbled a bit in foraging before but I thought it was a great opportunity to see what else you can forage at this time of year.

“I have also got a bit of a fascination with the idea of living for free or living with as little money as you can.

“It has been great to meet like-minded people and come together to share knowledge about foraging – and cooking and eating together has been even better.”

Dalya Moss, 33, from East Oxford, said: “I have done quite a lot of mushroom foraging before because they are really tasty, but I did not know much about what green leaves you can eat. I like the idea of making the most of resources around instead of going to the supermarket. There is so much out there you can eat.”

  • For more information about activities at Barracks Lane Community Garden, visit barrackslane garden.org.uk