Wild Edible Plants in the Catskill Mountains

Nuts

• Sweet chestnuts are often found in the Catskill Mountains. The nuts are surrounded by a bitter skin and sharp stickers, but the nuts are healthy and rich in vitamins and fat. Another nut is the shagbark hickory, which has a thick shell and a sweet kernel. These nuts are high in protein and require a nut cracker to open. The black walnut is another Catskill Mountains edible nut, though you should only have two or three a day to avoid getting sick from the material of the shell.

Berries

• Wild raspberries can be found in the Catskills and provide multiple healthy nutrients. There are also many blueberries that can be found in the region, most of them with small seeds. Blueberries contain the nutrient anthocyanin, which is a potent antioxidant-like substance. Elderberries, mulberries and strawberries also grow in the Catskill Mountains.

Herbs

• There are many different herbs and greens that are edible in the Catskills. It is best to consult a guide book to ensure that you are eating the proper plant before digging in. Dandelions, which grow throughout the world are edible and may have kidney and liver benefits. Chicory grows in the region and has a beautiful purple bloom. The plant is entirely edible and the roots can be roasted to form a coffee consistency. One herb, the nettle, can sting when you touch it, but if cooked it can go well with butter and garlic. Other edible herbs include mustards, tiger lilies, ginger and wood sorrel.