Belated Giant hogweed posting
Heracleum mantegazzianum ⚠️ (don’t try this at home)
This notorious plant grows to massive heights and with its super spiky appearance and purple speckled stem is hard to mistake. The victorians brought it over having liked its appearance- and it can’t be denied how pretty it is in spite of the invasive status!!
I finally found some this year and decided to try it. Like common hogweed, Heracleum sphondylium, it can also be rendered edible when properly cooked.
However, warning ⚠️, it is much much more dangerous to collect - the phototoxic sap can cause permanent damage to skin leading to sun sensitivity or even cause blindness in the eyes; so it is best to avoid it completely. I harvested mine with gloves, full coverage clothing, and goggles.
I sautéed it the same way I do common hogweed, in some butter.
Now, it does actually have a much stronger flavour, that distinctive herby hogweed essence - however it was also horribly, horribly bitter. Unfortunately totally inedible as a result. So, verdict, stick to common hogweed. 😊 🍃
