Mini Artichokes for FREE! Foraging the Bull Thistle

[@tararothwill4922]

I really dont understand how this looks like a lot of work to the people commenting. Looks easy as hell to me and bull thistle is everywhere in my area, would love to know more recepies for utilizing the rest of the plant.

[@businesscat4435]

You must not have arthritis

[@tararothwill4922]

@@businesscat4435 I do, but not in my hands.

[@yearginclarke]

If you needed calories for survival I'm guessing the energy burned in harvesting and processing these would likely exceed the calories gained from eating the final product. However since we aren't concerned about that today, it only requires a little curiosity and patience to try them out. I've tried them before but only raw. I'll have to try cooking them sometime.

[@electrified7309]

Thistle is great for cleaning out your liver and help with arthritis.

[@dianamorris5327]

It looks hard to them because they can't order them on the phone and have them delivered. They actually have to move to get them.

[@rubylady7126]

Very cool video and detailed. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@danielgodlewski9932]

Thanks for the video🙂

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Hey Folks! I thought I'd finally cook up the flowers of Bull Thistle after hearing so much about how similar it is to Artichoke. And boy was it tasty! If you have any experiences with this thistle or any questions please leave a comment down below for myself or others. Hope you all are doing well and enjoying your summer. Happy Foraging!

[@charlessmith263]

I almost got seriously injured around 1981 or so trying to experiment with the bull thistle while I was outside on the lawn. I thought this thistle was something like dandelion seeds and I thought those prickly white points on that weed - thorns - were gentle and docile. Thinking this was dandelion seeds, I brushed up one of the leaves of the thistle for only 1/2 of a second and then - as if I was stung by a bull ant or hornet, I was forced away from that leaf as I said "Ouch!" in temporary pain that lasted 1/8 of a second. I didn't realize that these white thorns on that thistle are as very sharp-pointed as the sharp point of a metal sewing needle. No bleeding - but it felt like a sharp sting of a Hymnoptera insect as if there was a bee or wasp guarding the plant and it stung me as soon as I touched the leaf. With that, I learned how to respect the very prickly weed, and never dared to brush any part of the leaf of that thistle again.

[@pamelacorona3665]

I was told as a child that these are wild Artichoke , but no one ever cooked them.Thank You for showing us that they are. And I liked the way you filmed this it was funny : D Peace

[@TheNorthwestForager]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@Valleygirl66]

Wonder if we can steam them? to preserve some nutrient content?

[@derekfrost8991]

It's a lot of work for what you get. I prefer to use the leaves in sauerkraut or herbal tea.. :)

[@aqua6613]

If I had some kids I would let them do the fun picking part like my grandma used to use my tiny hands to pick the red currant berries from the little stems...such tideous work but her red currant jelly was to die for and well worth it. I love the smell of thistles and I love picking them for a pretty bouquet ... must be my scottish heritage coming through there ☺️💪 thistles for the win

[@withwingsaseagleeyes]

@@aqua6613 so you cut a stem with bloomed flowers off the main plant and add it to a bunch of flowers? I myself am just now learning about thistles. And thank you for the video.

[@aqua6613]

@withwingsaseagleeyes yeah I've made a cute little bouquet of thistles and ofcourse I would advise wearing gloves and maybe having a sharp knife or scissors to cut any of the prickly stuff away. They just smell incredibly sweet or atleast the ones I grabbed did.

[@BrendaSmith09]

Thank you for this video. I have field of this beautiful plant. Can you use the flower for tea?

[@TheNorthwestForager]

I don't see any reason why you couldn't, though I've never tried it. It may be surprising good!

[@bobvincent4841]

I ate the seeds once when they're about ready to float away in the wind and made my mouth and throat burn like I drank 100 proof whiskey lol

[@nikolecoller608]

So I was trying every part of the plant today, and did chew on some of the ready to fly away seeds. The same is happening to me! Slight inflammation and irritation in my throat! Not sure if its only got that irritant when fully developed or if its problematic at every stage. guess i will have to investigate.

[@Chelsea123Chii]

Good excuse when your spouse asks where all the whiskey went ;)

[@Benjahmanmusic]

Looks like a lot of work but worth trying at least once!

[@KishorTwist]

Wow, that's a lot of bull thistles, extremely invasive but very pollinating too, like all varieties from that family of wild plant. Thistle flowers look good as hell!

[@alexandersalz5850]

bet theyre perfect for pickling them like kapers too! oh and another topic somewhat haha: with dandelions battering them in cornstarch batter with a spoon full spelt flour and just enough water to get it somewhat liquid worked very well. naturally tastes like cornmais because of its high pollen content. the protein in the pollen splits under heat like it does in meatprotein and releases its cornflavour. very tasty very unexpected good alternative to a salad of those and looks just nice. wouldnt surprise me if battering and frying worked here too :DD i really please you to try this since i did im looking forwards for dandelions and false dandelions being in season like any other herb or vegetable since its quite filling :) btw since the batter is flavourless you can eat thefirst half salted or powdered in some spicemix and the rest with powdered sugar, maple sirup or whatever i always like stuff like that :D oh and i bet a tempura batter would look even better especially if you could see the yellow through the dough :D

[@mattmc4169]

My homelands national flower .Its the Scots nat flower as in the medieval days the Vikings tried to sneek up on us Scots sleeping,one viking had bair feet.Need i go on.Anyway we won the battle of the Largs and that was the last battle between us, then we just made babies together and got on 😂😂 and so u get the modern Scot i.e. me.

[@vernonquarles983]

This is a lot of work. We wait a little longer, lop off the head and field dress a foot of stem. 4 per guest, boil, serve with butter. You pull the flesh off of the stem like eating artichokes. I call them Missouri artichokes.

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Way too much work for sure. It's more of a novelty, especially for friends. Seems to be easier to get people to try wild food if they can easily associate it with domestic foods. Work-wise I like to use the roots. Just wash and slow cook. Texture is similar to burdock.

[@StudioStig]

I have a few of these growing in the back of my in law’s property. I was planning to collect seeds once they’re ready/easy to pull out of the flower to make a tincture. Would the “hearts” be edible/good at this stage, or do the flowers need to be barely open? Maybe I’ll plant a perimeter of these around my chicken run once I build that so I have plenty of “artichoke” that also serves as a barrier between predators and my hens…

[@TheNorthwestForager]

The ones in this video were past their prime. If you were to harvest them for the mini artichoke then the best time is just before the flower bud opens.

[@thistlefooderie]

Very cool!

[@sunny_737]

A healthy snacks ✨❣️

[@dianamorris5327]

The chokes, of the thistle were originally used as renet for making cheese.

[@habitantdelaterrehdlt2362]

Hello:) Thank you very much, this is exactly what i wanted to know. Thank a lot.

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Hello! I'm happy you found the video useful. If you try it sometime you'll have to let me know.

[@Tammy.50]

Excellent

[@MsLaleeLoo]

Very informative...

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

These look like the same family as the Scotch Thistle, which my Dad, 60 years ago told me can be eaten.

[@TheNorthwestForager]

They are and you can!

[@kaffirdog1298]

My question is.. is it worth all the trouble? And where the bees go if they run out of flowers? And will there be enough seeds left to make more plants.. because only 10persent of wild seeds grow.. the rest are eaten by birds and insects and some just die..

[@khm2128]

@Radko2006 I think some insects visit for the nectar. If you think of it, smell one in bloom when it's warm. It has a scent that I love.

[@AhJodie]

I would have liked to have seen you put it into your mouth, and I must say you are a lot more patient than I am. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheNorthwestForager]

😁

[@essenestephanie]

Can you use anything else from this thistle. Do you throw away all the rest?

[@TheNorthwestForager]

The taproot/crown, leaf mid-rib, and flower stalk are all edible. Just gotta be sure to clean the spines off well!

[@heal41hp]

Seems like a lot of work for little payoff... Do you think it was worth it?

[@patriciaafonso116]

Can i eat all species of thistles? is there any poisonous or toxic one? can´t seem to find reliable info on this. I know you can eat some species but they are very similar between each other and hard to identify. so can i eat them all or just some specific ones?

[@TheNorthwestForager]

All true thistles (in the genus Cirsium) are considered edible to some degree. There are also a few other thistles in the same family but with a different genus which are also edible. No poisonous ones I know of. Some are better suited for medicinal purposes but still edible in moderation.

[@careyannshiskin9119]

me too I put the ones I cut off like you did in my salad but the whole thing is that okay ? they were really little ones spine on ?

[@shannahonea714]

Can you Fri it with the purple cotton on it and eat that to cause them tops look yummy

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Maybe if you cut off the very tips. Past that and you get into the white fibers which has lots of cellulose and wouldn't be preferable.

[@shannahonea714]

@@TheNorthwestForager cool thanks for responding to me😀😎

[@dan4659]

Can you do a video on the leaves and roots? I was always told that thistles are poisonous so I'm loving this video

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Absolutely! I've actually started on one but have been meaning to finish it. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffarp7409]

All that needed was a little lemon juice I love artichokes of any kind if you harvest then a little earlier would their be more heart to them?

[@backyardsounds]

Thats a lot of work for such a tiny treat! I'd rather just eat some wild primrose or whatever.

[@keenowl1410]

Nice

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Thank you!

[@jerrycortez4943]

Can we Pouder the Seeds And Drink them like Tea.

[@TheNorthwestForager]

@@jerrycortez4943 I don't have any reason why you couldn't. I tried that very method with the seeds of scotch thistle as a faux coffee. The high oil content made for a buttery smooth espresso.

[@blueskies6475]

@@TheNorthwestForager I'll bet it has lots of Vitamin E in the seeds!!

[@TheNorthwestForager]

@@blueskies6475 the many thistle seeds deserve a video all on their own

[@pamelacorona3665]

Hi again : ) So I picked some wild Artichokes ooouch. Yours look different than mine but are still Artichokes. It was a lot of work but I managed. You're correct they do taste like Artichokes. Can you harvest them when they have gone to seed but still have some green on them ?

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Did you pick from the Bull Thistle? Or was it of another species? But you're right it is a lot of work. More of a novelty food. In my experience when they go to seed the flower pith gets too hard to even cook. Its all about timing. Best to find them just before the flower opens.

[@pamelacorona3665]

The Northwest Forager , I don't think it was from the Bull Thistle because it doesn't look like the ones you picked. But they tasted like an Artichoke. Thank You again for the video. It was a lot of fun and painful :D 🌱 🌿

[@guardemdog]

I have something that looks like the flower but the leaves are totally different. They are straight, have spines and ribbed edges. I’m in oregon. Can’t find anyone talking about it.

[@elenor007]

What about those purple flower around it is useable too?

[@CentreTWSP]

Are they still good to eat after they dry up and turn brown ? Thanks for your videos. I'm loving them.

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Thanks for watching Ed! Also very good question. The trick is to pick them while the flower is still relatively a new bloom, if not still just a bud; these are choice for eating the heart. I was pretty late picking mine for this video but managed to get a few good ones. Once they are pollenated they quickly go to seed making the heart very though and seed pitted (not good to eat). If there's any seed development at all it's probably too late.

[@derekfrost8991]

I have a question about the leaves. Some folk say you can use them but it's a pain to take the spines off. I wonder if it's possible to leave the spines then use it in herbal tea or to brew in beer instead of hops.. ?? There are loads of thistles round here.

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Appreciate the question. I have another video (foraging winter soup, I think...) where I use the mid-rib of the leaves. That's the easiest way to enjoy them from my experience. Another great way is to dig up the whole plant, taproot included, and cut off the top 90% of the leaves leaving only the stubs connected to the root. After a good wash and then a boil the whole thing fries well. As far as a tea goes I'm not too sure just because they're very watery so I don't know how much flavor they'll impart. If you do a tea or brew please let me know how it turns out!

[@derekfrost8991]

Ok thanks. I already tried to use the roots for beer but couldn't get the plant up. I find thistles grow in nasty ground. Even though it didn't seem deep, there were rocks all around.

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Derek Frost oh definitely. You have to plan for them. They're easiest to harvest from now till spring when the ground is wet/soft and the leaves are still low to the ground. A shovel and gloves is a must

[@John-mf6ky]

6:17 Is that wild carrot on the right or a look a like?

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Cloudy that's the end of the video..?

[@GonzoDonzo]

Is this the same plant as milk thistle? I have alot of them in my area and have always been tempted to try the thistle.

[@TheNorthwestForager]

No, milk thistle has variegated leaves. Bull thistle is Cirsium vulgare, milk thistle is Silybum marianum if you want to google it 😁

[@GonzoDonzo]

@@TheNorthwestForager ty. Ill give it a look

[@jerrycortez4943]

Can we Smash The Bull Thistle Seeds And Used them as Tea and Drink Or Seeds Don't Have the Antioxidants I will Love To Hear about Thistle Seeds If They are Edible

[@shadyKpopFan]

I never thought you could eat it

[@LynnDenton]

Have you ever thought about doing a pnw foraging video?

[@TheNorthwestForager]

How do you mean?

[@LynnDenton]

The Northwest Forager sorry I meant to say PNW coastal foraging video.

[@TheNorthwestForager]

I've always been interested in doing something like that. A couple times last fall I tried shooting a video on bull kale but it just didn't work out. If this summer goes well it would be nice to do something out there. Love the Oregon coast!

[@LynnDenton]

The Northwest Forager me too. I am in Portland myself. I will watch for a video if you guys do go.

[@marybehrens8886]

I think it's best to leave them to the bees.

[@RndomFX]

There wwa still spines on the ones they cooked in the video. looks like a good way to cause intestinal issues if you eat them as they puncher the inside of your intestinal walls. chinese used to feed people tiger whiskers for the same effect. cooking does not really soften the spines on these so , make sure you do not eat the spines.Also, yu can eat the stalks and ribs of the plant too, after cleaning off the spines/

[@TheNorthwestForager]

No humans were harmed in the making of this video 😉

[@Chelsea123Chii]

My boyfriend eats the spines in the spring time when they are slightly softer.

[@ryanvideooo]

What is this a meal for ants!?

[@chansamonephommachack8920]

Who’s knew that was edible? Not me!

[@trinitybrewster5330]

why doesn’t mind grow like that .-.

[@MizMissiB]

Looks like you’re using far more calories than you’ll get back eating them. May want to focus on more calorie dense foragers

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Yes, It was for fun.

[@pcolvin4235]

I wonder if these can be stored somehow for winter use, and if they are still palatable? We harvested a bunch of these for tea (I think it had vitamin c content?), but upon using,.even combined.with other things, it just tasted like drinking pee. Yuck! Wondering if the cooked.version is the same? Seema lime an awful lot of work for a little bit of food, but I suppose it is a good way to dispose of and/or make use.of a very invasive, pokey plant. We have lots of thistle on the property due to birdseed in the feeders. The goats and cows won't touch them. But still, this channel is fascinating. I got involved with (wildcrafting?) when I was a single Mom living on never enough, and a simple doctor bill put my budget over the edge for six months. Made the decision right them to.educate myself in self sufficiency and never be dependent on unreliable government again. I knew already from my Grama, of several.food plants. but I started researching medicinal plants as well and looking for ways to combat diabetes and also grow my own food. Then I morphed into this farm, herb person. Hubs and I enjoy poking around in the woods for plants and mushrooms.

[@GonzoDonzo]

My goats love the thistle but only late in the thistles life. Although they may just eat it cause its the only green thing left late in the season. Never know whats going on in those goat brains

[@austingutzke569]

My donkeys' brains must be one huge thistle. They gobble them up and want to make their way to each one.

[@vegashawkfan59]

A lot of work for 25 calories... good info to know, though.

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Thank you for watching :]

[@khalidrather569]

R u not supposed to powder the seeds.. and take that. What is this new shit

[@businesscat4435]

Too much for too little

[@Mike-yl6hs]

DUDE! Thats not even a BITE!!! m

[@mrgary6117]

I spray them with roundup

[@engineeringartist4801]

Yes, interesting. But for some reason it makes me want to drive thru McDonald's and get a Quarter Pounder with cheese and large fries, extra ketchup.

[@TheNorthwestForager]

Now I'm craving their fries 😅

[@engineeringartist4801]

@@TheNorthwestForager LOL! Fyi, I've grown a large thistle and will be eating the stalk. I'm thinking about injecting the hollow center with crunchy peanut butter.

[@hugueninhank4168]

not worth the time and effort