Burdock and Black Beans with Pasta – A Foraged Recipe
This Burdock and Black Beans with Pasta is a new recipe I created to use a free vegetable foraged from around our yard. Burdock is a versatile and prolific wild edible that is free for the picking over much of the United States and Canada. It grows along roadsides, in disturbed soil, fields, and other wild or abandoned areas. And, of course, it grows like a weed! Instead of spraying burdock or doing battle with it every year, why not embrace the wild side and try cooking up some freshly foraged meals from this easily identified plant?!
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Foraged Recipes When Your Garden is a Bust
I’m having a lot of trouble getting my garden planted this year. We’ve had so much rain that I haven’t been able to work the soil and plant most of my vegetables.
So I decided to try new ways to use the wild edibles that grow rampantly around the edges of our property. Burdock is a great example of an edible weed that may be turned into gourmet meals.
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I’ve been foraging for burdock and making Carduni for many years and my family loves this Italian dish. This year I tried making Carduni from burdock leaves and created a new recipe for Creamy Burdock Soup. I must say that I have been enjoying these dishes immensely!
Soggy Bottom Blues Leads to Foraged Recipe for Burdock with Black Beans and Pasta
As I surveyed my soggy garden the other day, I was feeling just a little depressed that the only things ready to eat are lettuce, rhubarb, and maybe some turnip greens. But I decided not to let the lack of cultivated veggies get me down.
I got to work picking burdock stems and young leaves and soon had a nice sized bowl of free food. After washing, chopping, and boiling the burdock (in 2 changes of water to appease the less ‘wild’ palettes in our family.)
I used it to make the Burdock and Black Beans with Pasta for dinner that night. I used the leftover burdock to make a similar dish for dinner the next evening (I used pinto beans and added some tomato sauce) and froze the rest for winter.
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I’m happy to have more ways to use this free food…especially when I have so much of it, and so little to harvest from my garden.
Here is the recipe for you to try with your own free burdock!
Burdock and Black Beans wtih Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 Tbsp chopped ramps green onions or garlic greens may be used
- 3 cups prepared burdock stems
- 1 15 oz can black beans pinto, butter, or other baking beans may be used
- 3 cups penne pasta, uncooked
Instructions
- To prepare burdock stems, wash well and chop into 1 inch pieces. Place stems into a large pan of water with a pinch of salt. Bring water to a boil then reduce heat to simmer. Cook until burdock is tender, about 30 minutes. If you prefer a milder flavor, pour cooked burdock into a colandar and drain off water. Place burdock back in pan and add water until just covered. Bring to a boil again then remove from heat. Drain well and set aside.
- Bring medium large pan of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of vegetable oil, then add uncooked pasta. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium low. Cook until pasta is done, or slightly al dente. Drain water off pasta and set aside.
- Pour vegetable oil in a frying pan or wok and place on medium heat. When oil is hot, add ramps, green onions, or garlic greens. Brown the ramps.
- Add can of beans, including liquid, and prepared burdock to pan with ramps. Stir and cook until heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- To serve, dish a serving size of pasta onto plate and top with serving of burdock and beans. Top with grated cheese, sour cream, or hot sauce.
Notes
How Many Foraged Recipes Can I Make Using Burdock?
In the past, I used burdock to make Carduni and that was it. But now I have visions of burdock lasagna, stirfry, minestrone soup, omelets, and who knows what else! Having a shortage of my regular veggies has been an inspiration, I suppose.
Trying new ways to prepare burdock has been fun and tasty. This foraged recipe for Burdock with Black Beans and Pasta is a definite keeper. Everyone in our family enjoyed having this for dinner!
Don’t Take Food for Granted – Foraging is a Great Skill to Have
We are incredibly fortunate to have food available from the grocery store. There are so many people who don’t have that resource. Learn to collect and prepare wild food to save money and be prepared for food shortages.
Check out this post on Burdock Leaf Tea from my friend Farmgal over on her site, Just Another Day on the Farm. 🙂
Do you cook with foraged foods? What are your favorites?
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