Forgotten Staples: Foraging Wild Plums & American Lotus with Feral Foraging

This episode is a conversation with Jesse from Feral Foraging about two of North America’s most overlooked wild foods — Wild Plums and American Lotus. Jesse is a skilled forager and educator who shares practical tips on plant identification, wild tending, and cooking with these forgotten staples. His work blends deep ecological knowledge with hands-on techniques that help people connect to their food in a meaningful way.

Episode Overview:

Jesse’s background and the mission behind Feral ForagingThe Gather Foraging App — features for plant ID, seasonal timing & lookalikesWild Plum species in North America (American, Chickasaw, Mexican, Pacific, Canada plums)How to identify wild plums vs. Bradford pear or crabappleWhy wild plums are disappearing (invasive species, habitat loss, fire suppression)Tips for scouting wild plums in bloom, best harvesting techniques, and seasonal timingWild plum flavor profile, traditional uses, and recipes (jam, wine, sauces, fruit leather)American Lotus basics — how it compares to Asian lotus and its overlooked historyForaging lotus seeds and tubers: canoe gathering, wading, and digging in mudLotus recipes & nutrition: porridge, bread, flour alternatives, and long-term seed storageWhy American Lotus and Wild Plums are still worth foraging today for resilience and food culture

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