In mid-July, a group of around twelve people attended the summer edition of ‘De Bësch schmaachen’ at Ellergronn.

The MiNELL workshop for adults began with an introduction by herbalist educator Christiane Laures. Using around ten different plants currently found in Luxembourg’s forests, she demonstrated the importance of exercising caution when gathering plants. Edible and poisonous plants often look similar, which can lead to confusion. During the introduction, the herbalist also suggested ways to use each plant, whether for culinary or therapeutic purposes.

After this theoretical introduction, the workshop became hands-on. Armed with baskets and pruning shears, the group ventured into the forest to collect a variety of plants for later processing. As they hiked through the woods, Christiane Laures provided additional information and pointed out edible plants, even those not on the menu for this summer edition of the workshop. The expert also provided the participants with a simple and quick recipe for almost every plant.

Back at the Ellergronn nature conservation centre, they cooked with the fresh ingredients they had collected. The menu this summer featured:

• Nettle pesto
• Cream cheese with wild herbs
• A salad of wild carrots, refined with wild herbs, blackberries, and raspberries
• A woundwort-lasagna, in which the plant provided a mushroom-like flavor

 

© Minett UNESCO Biosphere

Once the cooking was finished, the participants enjoyed eating these dishes together. You can sign up for the next ‘De Bësch schmaachen’ workshop, which will take place at the end of October, by clicking on this link.