Wild Spring Delicacies- Ramps, Morels, Fiddleheads, Birch Sap

In the world of wild edibles, springtime offers a buffet of delicacies that can't be found any other time of the year. Ramps/leeks, morel mushrooms, fiddlehead ferns, and birch sap. The season for these wild edibles is short, and they can be tricky to find, but this episode will teach you how to: look for, identify, and prepare them for your plate.

[@zoerobinson1807]

Thank you for including the bit about leaving solitary/small patches of leeks alone to replenish! As ramps grow more popular, they're becoming more and more rare because people who don't know better over-harvest them.

[@shanelunsford5495]

Actually it's best to not pull them up at all and just gently remove the surrounding soil and clip the shoot leaving the root and one third of the stalk.

[@foxtones6961]

So true I've noticed there are far fewer now. Couldn't even pick any last spring because I wanted to make sure there was something left but not everyone thinks that way sadly.

[@sophrosyne5900]

I found a million patches of these today and a goldmine of fiddleheads !!! I'm gonna pick some tomorrow.

[@andreboudreau6474]

Here , in the province of Québec it’s only legal to harvest 50 leeks per person. This has been instated because abusive harvesting by some people who sold them for profit😕. Unfortunately only wildlife officers can serve fines so some unscrupulous individuals still over harvest.

[@dream.fiiend]

Dang I truly feel blessed where I live. Wild leeks and morel in my backyard. My father in law came back with a salad bowl filled with morels the past two days. Illinois may be broke but it's rich in forage goods.

[@88Ont]

You are so lucky to have them in your backyard.

[@drewwalters6330]

I come back to this video every spring to remake your wild leek soup recipe. I have the leeks and fiddleheads within a 5 minute walk of my home and because of you I now have books on foraging. Thanks so much!

[@kyd1972]

Excellent video. "Life's like that. Gotta savor what you have." Thank you!

[@TeamToddAdlerKeaw]

Like most people, I watch a lot of videos that just make me feel just a little bit dumber for having watched them. I love it, however, when videos just like this one leave me just a little bit brighter than when I had clicked play. I glow more afterwards, feel better and want nothing more than to engage nature myself. Another great video!

[@roxannerodriguez7075]

Exactly!! I actually live in AZ, in the desert 🏜. So all of this is foreign to me. But you know what he has done, just in the short period of this video!? I now want to look for someone who does this in the desert, and hopefully teaches as well as this guy does! So I can actually go out and try some of this myself! Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Outsider! Btw... I haven't EVER had anything like that wild leek soup! But it looked and sounded soooo interesting and delicious! Thank you for newfound inspiration! ❤

[@walterdl2904]

I first encountered ramps in West Virginia 50 years ago. Many of the towns had ramp and bean festivals. It was well worth seeking them out and going. I haven't been back but I will seek them out here in New England. I understand they grow here also. Your soup recipe looks great and I do like leek soup when I see it on a menu. Thanks for the memories.

[@secretasianman8325]

Just wanted to make sure to thank you and your wife for sharing the delicious looking leek soup recipe! Everytime I talk to one if my online friends, she tells me about having some leek soup and I've always wanted to try it because everytime she goes out to dinner, leek soup is all she seems to talk about having. Thank you again for all of your wonderful, informative videos!!

[@juliefinnegan6548]

Oh my gosh.... I made this soup and it is FANTASTIC! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. Just last year we tasted ramps for the first time; frying them in some bacon fat. But this soup is so awesome--I will make it again and again.

[@TheOutsiderCabin]

+Julie Finnegan That's awesome! We're glad you like it so much.

[@martinkerker1190]

Just watched your video this week 1 May 2020 , made the Leak soup today it was really delicious and creamy. Thanks.

[@brianbassett4379]

Two years ago in Washington state, I harvested over 4 lbs. of morels in a 3 day period. They rehydrate really well. My favorite way to eat them is seared in butter as you showed but love to use them in a savory bread pudding.

[@mathiasniemeier4359]

PLEASE leave the mushrooms alone in Washington state, AS PEOPLE FROM other states STEALING most of them TO sell!

[@brianbassett4379]

@@mathiasniemeier4359 I think maybe you should direct your comments to the (imaginary) people "stealing" nature grown mushrooms Niemeier.

[@davidstorton910]

I'm not a 100% sure but I think what you call wild leeks here in the UK we call wild garlic, sure does look the same and of course smells of garlic, that soup looked brilliant

[@NatureAndOther]

Yes it is wild garlic.

[@obiwankenobi1685]

Nice

[@tritonbradford1688]

Love fiddle heads,chicken mushrooms,hen of the woods,and many others.Good stuff to know about.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

You hit it out of the ballpark with this mini-playlist, Outsider! Nice to "meet" Mrs. Outsider, too. Keep up the great work!

[@TheOutsiderCabin]

Thanks Jeanette!

[@A_Wee_spook]

I love the sound quality in your videos, and audible step by step directions and description of the plants & mushrooms. you both are great!!!

[@Forevertrue]

Excellent presentation of the soup And Morels, I lived in southern Indiana and Kentucky and Morals are common fair in the spring.

[@wesleyluvsoktoberfest]

Not only do you build your own house, albeit with your dad, but you also are very knowledgeable about what mother nature provides. I live in the mountains of north Georgia and we have some of the same edibles here too. I leave the wild turkeys alone. I have found them to be to stringy, even after soaking them in buttermilk. I can't wait to see the next log cabin videos. Happy building and foraging from the sunny south. 🌞☮

[@toomaskotkas4467]

Birch sap is a staple of Russian countryside life in spring time. During the USSR the birch sap was collected on the industrial scale and sold in stores because of the health benefits it provides.

[@davidkatra3130]

Grows in Wyoming Valley, Pa.

[@magnusshmagnus6280]

Brainwashing smooth-brained Russians is a staple of Russian coutryside life during all seasons.

[@SharpWorks]

Really wish I had more time to learn more about wild edibles and go out to forage for myself. Thanks for the video!

[@TheOutsiderCabin]

Learning about wild edibles is a lifetime pursuit, but it all starts with familiarising yourself with 1 wild edible. Thanks for your comment!

[@johndifrancisco3642]

The Outsider, " it all starts with familiarising yourself with 1 wild edible." I'm glad I am familiarizing myself with you, you wild edible you ;)

[@delaneyrichardson]

You

[@hotdawg9840]

Hey man. I've eaten almost 20 different kinds of wild mushrooms I never heard of or ate before. I studied about them and watched many videos. What I'm getting at will surprise u. Because alot of these grow in your yard. Along with wild edible plants. You really don't have to leave your yard to eat fungi or fresh plants. They already grow in your yard or local park

[@hotdawg9840]

Just make sure that u study and learn. It's a must. Just like fungi. One wrong plant or one wrong mushroom. And it's your last

[@lizajane55555]

That soup leek looks so good! Thanks for sharing.

[@l.antoinetteanderson3736]

Another "sweet" and refreshing video,thank you! It's Spring here on the southern coast of Oregon and your presentations give a boost to go out and collect some treats!

[@waynek921]

GREAT job on the leek soup thank you for the video... we want more videos from Mrs Outsider please 🙏

[@geoffrobert8818]

Awesome video. Thanks so much from Ontario

[@lukkyluciano]

ramps, fiddleheads, and morels are 3 things I always keep my eyes open for while out walking with the dog, fishing, and metal detecting in the spring.

[@timpearson2555]

This is shortly becoming my favorite channel. Thank you for doing these!

[@lyndawilliams8434]

Lovely recipes, and lovely to be outside in the woods again. Thanks to your wife for sharing, and I hope she gets involved more, and cant wait to meet your daughter. Thanks for uploading and sharing.

[@TheOutsiderCabin]

Thanks Lynda. It was a lot of fun doing this episode with her. I'll be sure to pass your thanks along.

[@lindacaldwell9017]

I found one Large white morel on our property one year, never got one again. It was delicious........

[@luckyluck4630]

Casanova Frankenstein I Could be mistaken but i believe there are three types . The yellow , black and grey. At least that’s what I came across when picking to sell here in Washington state . The most prized and sought after is the “ greys “ , due to it being the most tastiest and extremely expensive. $15K from a month of picking .

[@garman1966]

I prefer the black morel. Wonderful aroma and tastes wonderful!

[@viewtube6512]

I love them all. Truly!

[@ericseaton4552]

Thanks for all the videos inbetween your cabin videos. I can't wait to see your next update.

[@TheOutsiderCabin]

Thanks Eric!

[@SandraLThomas64]

Like how y'all are as easy on the environment as possible. Keep it up

[@highvibes38]

OMG I can't wait to do all of those short videos!!!thank you guys❣️

[@suzieaguilar397]

The Outsider Oh my, what a treat it was to see the morel mushroom! My dad and brothers knew exactly where to find them in Indiana, where there was a rather heavy forested area. They would usually find a large cloth bag of them, and what a wonderful delicacy they are, to be sure. The taste is very unique, and not to be found in any other mushroom. Thank you ever so much for sharing the video of that one morel mushroom you found up in Canada. I am sure you savored every delicious nibble. May you find more morels next Spring. :-)

[@eanschaan9392]

In Minnesota they really like them. They are actually the state mushroom. They taste lovely though, so I don't blame them.

[@trishachakraborty1075]

Love from India. Thanks for the lovely recipe. May God bless you. I really learnt so much.

[@newsviewstoday5689]

EXCELLENT Vlog ~ Packed with most useful info & truly enjoyable watch. I'm a Canadian from Ontario living in Australia now, & am literally planting a forest of the trees we have in Ontario to diversify the area as well as starting a black out mushroom tunnel to go along with all the other things growing on our permaculture farm we are developing here. Thanks for all the great info & INSPIRATION !

[@deannafarmer2573]

Thank you to your wife! I never even thought of leek soup, my family and I collect them on our hikes. We love them.

[@ethan________]

This reminds me so much about Stardew Valley...

[@georgedudley9843]

Ethan yoooooo man I just clicked on this after playing Stardew valley

[@raccoon7955]

Oml,same! Infact i clicked on this video simce it had the items!

[@teemurinnesalmi6053]

Same. I've played stardew over 140 hours during the last month😆

[@nicovolli]

Nice job! Try throwing the fiddleheads into already boiling water and shock cool them with cold (icy) water. That will fixate the chlorophyll and make them healthier and taste better (and much greener) :)

[@loracutting4542]

I loved watching this. I learned a lot. I really like how you took your time and explained everything. I can't wait to see more. Thank you

[@saphirefoxirl]

Very informative video, thanks! I like how responsible you are (and also that you saved the slugs).

[@rhymeandreasoning]

Fiddleheads are really popular where I was raised in New Brunswick, Canada ..my parents and us kids would pick them during FH season..And us kids would come home from school, mother would send us kids out to pick them at the old creek near my parents place. Now I am living in Montreal and FH will set you back a small fortune if you want to buy them, which I never do, but just odd seeing how expensive they are here. Great video !!! Enjoyable stuff you post. Really happy I stumbled onto your videos.

[@lizajane55555]

Your channel is wonderful and informative! I would suggest drying the morels especially if you have a bumper crop. They taste so good in winter soups and stews- and you only need a small piece of the dried mushroom.

[@charlesburke9972]

Poetry in motion Today today For one to say is this a word Though it may seem absurd Let’s go back to Jazz, yes there was Charlie Parker Most call him the Bird Then it occurred to me if you Listen to Jazz this will set you Free, formally melodic of the Minor 7th or the Flatted fith Blues in a jiff can be part of your riff, if you play to play or blow to say. Jazz Music will then be part of the day Hence you and your Horn as you give it breath, notes rhythm, this what you the player, will give em So go forth free your notes Let them bounce and sustain Up behind you comes brother Jackie McClain his s-it was bad, even in sane. Yes this is Jazz, played in the name Hip Hop, Blues no matter what ever you choose There will be dues Let the Drummer keep the beat, and the Bass be neat all you got to do tape your feet Poetry in Jazz Charles Burke 01/22/18

[@chris109]

Thank you for your excellent info! This is the best I’ve heard!

[@gingermilsap7157]

Wow, does this ever look delicious! I can’t wait to try it. I was walking in our woods yesterday and saw all kinds of leeks!👏👏👏🤗Thank you so much!

[@kendricchua]

I'm so fascinated by this. I always wondered what it would be like to gather something myself and cook and eat it, I imagine it feels a little more gratifying.

[@garman1966]

I found a couple morel patches last year and I'm looking forward to checking them out again in a couple months when spring comes. There is no better tasting mushroom than a fried morel cut in half longwise! They're sooooogood!

[@llcase31]

You both are awesome and compliment each other's contributions to the video 👍 I can't wait to find some wild leeks

[@janisblack2183]

Love your channel! You and your whole family. I too live in Ontario, Canada near the Bruce trail system in Dufferin and Grey-Bruce Counties. These wild vegetables are all around me along with fireweed, wild raspberries, wild strawberries and asparagus. Thank-you for demonstrating the sustainable methods for how to harvest these wonderful natural edibles in our forests, and thanks to your lovely wife for the wild leek soup recipe. Simply delicious! There are not many books out there specific to our area for these plants. Fortunately for me I learned from my dear Mother many years back when we explored the forests together. I would just like to share a good tip with you about boiling the fiddleheads or any green vegetables. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the water; regular or light tasting and it will keep the bright green colour and vitamins in. Very little chance of them going grey if you overcook them by accident. Enjoy, from the Galley Cook

[@jdzencelowcz]

Since the whole plant is edible, can U just cut the leeks free of their roots, so they can grow back, instead of uprooting them?

[@Crawkid]

I think you'd need to leave the bulbs too though

[@aoiahiru670]

@@Crawkid I think that's what the OP meant.

[@Crawkid]

@@aoiahiru670 ah well I tend to consider the bulbs different than the scraggly roots.

[@foxtones6961]

Thank you!

[@DarkMage501]

Yes, the bulb will regrow if wet

[@deadwoodden212]

Thanks for sharing never knew Will give it a try, as soon as Winters grip leaves us here in Michigan

[@thewaverslmao.1149]

What an awesome video! I can't wait for spring!

[@TheOutsiderCabin]

Thanks! Neither can I!

[@70wolfnipplechips41]

I'm impressed and very pleased by the clear, thorough, informative, way you present the bounties of Spring! You and your wife are very pleasant. I've put off tapping trees due to the need for spikes, so thanks for showing me how to make my own! Also, this is hands down the best video I've seen on fiddleheads. Great job! You've gained a subscriber! I'm busting with anticipation, especially for morels!

[@Andonerf]

My Dad and I and sometimes my friend go to this one huge park on a hill, there is a huge forest path and we find tons of morels. one year we came out with almost 2 pounds! We saute them an will eat them with Eggs, wild asparagus and sometimes just eat them by themselves, they are awesome.

[@Andonerf]

Btw they where black morels.

[@kylefoxall4723]

We make a hunters gravy with tomatoes, leeks and morels for with our venison.

[@TheWoodedBeardsman]

Good one. I'm on the lookout for leeks this spring!

[@SlikPapaRuff]

yup

[@trippingonrocks1165]

You're both wonderful and explain things so well. That must have smelt amazing while cooking. Thanks again

[@johnmimisjourney3940]

I absolutely live your video. Suoer clear amd very informative. Keep them coming!!

[@frydemwingz]

those wild onions are great to find when camping. ive cooked some in a cast iron pan with some beer and some salt. pretty good.

[@oldmanriverrimington3442]

why would you give this video a thumbs down?? I subscribed.

[@christopherellis2663]

gary rimington Probably because it had onion and garlic in with the ransoms! What is the point?

[@marcellabutay1090]

Your dog is cute

[@Mazaskazi]

Probably fast food eaters.

[@newsviewstoday5689]

+ gary Maybe they are people from Monsanto who only promote their deadly GMO crap & hate natural organic delights from nature. Seriously though, why would anyone give this awesome video anything but 3 thumbs up? lol. I subbed too. : )

[@SophiePalong]

Agree!

[@nativenygardens187]

Your recipes looked delicious! We just went ramp foraging in Massachusetts then cooked up our picks for dinner. Ramps are a fantastic, native, spring edible!

[@dineshvs30]

All the episodes are great, very informative. I like your conservative and caring approach. Waiting for more !

[@colemankamryn]

You should make a trip to Missouri in mid April if you want some Morel mushrooms. We find them by the pounds in a good year. Nice video

[@betsyropp561]

In my area they sell for $40/#

[@scottsmith8546]

Very nice video and well done.

[@TheOutsiderCabin]

Thanks Scott!

[@xxworriordestroyerxx7595]

Scott Smith ya your right

[@youtubaabee]

Thank you so much for your video! It’s so informative and fun to watch! 👍🏻

[@missliznaturelover3114]

Thanks for the Leek soup recipe, I'm going to have to give it a try! We hunt ramps and morels every year. Last year I dehydrated about a quarts worth of ramps and I use it for seasoning. Its perfect in everything that you would use onion or garlic powder.

[@shadowfire04]

i have a forest right in my backyard, and if you go far enough in, the ground suddenly is covered with ostrich ferns. i'm sure i could find some fiddleheads there, and thanks to your wife for the great recipe! also, don't believe anything that says it can detoxify the body. that's literally a laxative.

[@touchheng2728]

I notice toward the end of your video on your left hand side were your hold the bottle a bout 10 to 15 degree in the back ground I see a red thing apearing and disapearing.

[@Yoyoyoyoasshole]

Western North Carolina?

[@Cooliepops]

I found ramps, cranberries and morels yesterday (about 45 so far this year) Two comments I would add are morels can actually last quite a few days in a paper bag and be re-hydrated some if need be and blanch the fiddleheads for 2-3 mins then plunge them into an ice bath. Now they are ready for the fry pan.

[@keithosmuhfukah507]

That soup looks amazing!!! Made my mouth water a little lol

[@notmyworld44]

In Arkansas our morels appear about the same time as the emergence of the may-apple plants, and they occur principally under our sycamore trees and apple trees. The part about the fiddle-heads answers some questions I had. This video is excellent!

[@realism51]

Wow. That's crazy. Usually when I've been out collecting morells them I end up filling a 5 gallon bucket easy

[@dobu1859]

No need to rub it in😁

[@bigboy4224]

+1 Sub for relocating the slugs

[@johndifrancisco3642]

Big Boy, Eeww! Kill them all! His heart is much bigger than mine and apparently yours too. I CAN'T STAND SLUGS!!!

[@lipschom]

John Di Francisco totally agree, give them to the birds hehehe

[@brianspencer4220]

That's a lot of useful information. Leak soup is one of my family's favourites . Thanks ever so much. Brian 76

[@Markpatto]

I just made your wild leek and potato soup! Excellent! I live in Pennsylvania mountains where we have many in the forests. Thank you! It was sure bliss!

[@cecilialijoi4295]

My mom makes potato leek soup it's really good :)

[@twentyonetwos3967]

Great video.

[@TheOutsiderCabin]

Thanks!

[@tgrey4827]

Brilliant. I am dying for that soup now. Recipe noted, that's a must find and try!

[@mimib7970]

I just love your foraging videos!

[@meachy]

Thanks man, cool outdoor vid. Unfortunately, I'm in the southeast. not as lucky when it comes to those finds. But I got all the rat snakes and possum you'd ever want to seen.

[@Khailik]

Here in south western Virginia we call Morels Murkles and we cook them in batter. At least my family does lol. I recommend trying it.

[@billybobarino]

This was amazing. I love mushrooms, ill be super stoked if i ever find a morel of my own!

[@jonathanthyng9152]

That leak soup sounds amazing 😍

[@dereksharp4200]

That soup looked so delicious and I love leaks hope I can find some wild ones and try it!

[@dereksharp4200]

Spoke to soon it all looked delicious. Thanks for all the great content! This is my new favourite channel.

[@dereksharp4200]

Spoke to soon it all looked delicious. Thanks for all the great content! This is my new favourite channel.

[@donaldwalker5869]

Derek Sharp I never could find them where I live. But two counties over, they're everywhere. But I love them, so I ordered some seed on the internet. Hahaha!

[@nicktheknight5638]

Donald Walker when do you plant them

[@donaldwalker5869]

NickTheKnight this will be my first time, but research says you can plant year round, but best chance for survival if planted in middle to end of August. The seed needs warm weather to begin germination, then a kinda dormant cold period(winter) to finalize. After that, they sprout in spring. I haven't done this yet, but I'm hoping all goes well.

[@wayneandrews1933]

My wife made your recipe up boy it went good

[@annalake4376]

thank you I am so delighted that I came across your video

[@cruelty113]

I grew up eating fiddleheads and picking them. Also collecting sap. They are soo good thanks for the video! Didn't know about the leeks or Morel.

[@workingears]

I am really enjoying your videos! I can't get enough of them lol! Where are you located? I'm in the state of Georgia near Atlanta. Thanks!

[@embaradosmithingandwoodcraft]

ya missed stating the 4th and 5th characteristic of fiddle heads the fact they grow in a round clump in colonies of clumps not by 1s and 2s and ya should not take every head from a clump as this will harm the plant leave 1/2 to grow and thus feed the root for next years crop I refer to the clump in this vid @ 16:55

[@TheOutsiderCabin]

Good advice!

[@johnsullivan608]

TKY PAPA JOHN

[@embaradosmithingandwoodcraft]

and who do you refer to as papa john

[@formealyour]

embarado smithing and woodcraft plus, he mentioned leaving 1 or 2 fiddleheads left behind

[@flickedoff]

Excellent video! Exactly the info I was looking for from harvesting through cooking.

[@RDLondon2023]

Your wives voice is so perfect to keep the attention.really nice to watch!! She should definetly start a major food channel!!

[@chriswanderer90]

I found leeks, but now I need to find a wife to make leek soup. I will go up to a girl i like with leek bouquet.

[@kristenharral4707]

Chris Chung I love leeks, and I'm a hell of a cook! just sayin! ;)

[@chriswanderer90]

Kristen Harral lets marry

[@kristenharral4707]

Chris Chung ok. sounds like a plan. where shall we marry?

[@chriswanderer90]

in las vegas

[@realisticreality7705]

Chris Chung You'll find one definitely up here

[@greenelf912]

what a beautiful place you live in. love your naration voice it reminds me of childhood nature cinema films

[@matthewharris3672]

Awesome stuff man! Love it!

[@MrDanrn999]

Thank you for making this video!

[@logan-kq7cd]

Were I live during spring people in my area find over 500 morels every other day my family usually find around 200

[@lemuriansoul]

Outside Fun 1, what else do you gather? I'm curious about trout Lillie's, dandelion greens, and ground nuts.

[@Yoyoyoyoasshole]

Squirrels

[@rebeccapettifer6553]

That looks so good! I don't have leeks but I'm going to make some potato soup this morning with all the other ingredients for dinner and supper! Still a little cold here today. Yum! Morels are the best but I am old now and my husband passed away so my foraging partner is gone! He was the mushroom champion! He could find them when no one else could! Sharp eyes! I always washed as you did but with a little salt in the water. Then dip in an scrambled egg solution, then dredge through corn meal lightly and cook in butter and a little salt and pepper! Gosh makes my mouth water just to think about how good they were.

[@FatherAndSonFun]

This video is getting us REALLY anxious for "our" spring. We still have about 2 feet of snow on the ground in our neck of the woods, with another foot predicted next week! Love the videos Outsider! 👍

[@TheOutsiderCabin]

I'm anxious for spring too! (This episode was shot over a period of three past spring times.) Winter is still going strong where I am too.

[@aliceh5289]

"You wouldn't want to accidentally step on a morel" should've been "You wouldn't want to accidentally crush your morel" Missed oppuntunity

[@orianaspiderowl769]

a black squirrel...that's new...and it's angry at you...how cute.

[@cocoduck7745]

It's only cute when it's not in ur pants trying to bite off ur ass

[@makale83]

They live all over the midwest

[@MuskratOutdoors]

The black ones are part of the Evil Ninja Squirrel Army! RUN AWAY!!!

[@foxtones6961]

This soup! 😍 can't wait to make this in the spring. I usually make a stew with them but this time I'll use your recipe. Thank you. A tip for anyone who might be lactose intolerant or vegan, you can make a delicious heavy cream using half cup hulled hemp seeds to one cup water, blend till creamy.

[@suetaft2932]

Thank you for sharing! 👍

[@equipmentjockey]

The soup sounds delicious! I wonder if it would be good left chuncky style?

[@kylefoxall4723]

It can. We make a leek soup without potatoes at home, with chunks of leeks sliced in that is great

[@bobadler3097]

"I'm just walking in the woods today, to see what I can see."

[@LindsayJo-Crenshaw]

Thank you! I missed morel season (I think) but I have been seeing ramps! That soup looks amazing.

[@queenmab1999]

Hey man thanks!!! That was really awesome!!!! Cant wait to forage at camp this year!!!