Foraging and Cooking with Thistles

Full post
Kinpira recipe I mention I typically make with burdock

Basic breakdown of how to cook different parts of thistles. For most foragers, the roots are going to be what you want, unless you're starving.

One clarification here. I mention meadow thistle as being the best one I've had, but honestly I'm still unsure exactly what they were. Originally I was sure it was Cirsium scariosum, but it could be Cirsium arvense or one of the other roughly 200 species in North America. The best way to find the tastiest edible thistles in your area will be to experiment and dig a few in the spring or fall to find the ones with the most tender roots.

[peacefulscrimp]

This is an amazing video 👍
I don't understand why more of these videos don't pop up in my feed.
I like to lightly fry the meat of the stalks until they have just a few dark brown spots (in real butter) .
Great video 👍

[beatcat]

I found some yesterday and am going to do this tomorrow! TY I wanted directions on how to!

[glenhac]

I'm doing green smoothies something like Wheatgrass. I take the leaves of a few edible wild foods stinging nettle, tiny bit burdock leaves, and good portion of Thistle leaves. Pass through blender and then French press all fiber out! I'm eating lots of burdock and with your trick I'm going to experiment! My favorite meal now is forged mushroom resoto with burdock roots! I'm going to add Thistle next!!!

[libbybaker]

Hi Allen. To help get rid of those pesky thorns, splinters, etc. I usually put a good dose of castor oil on it and cover with a bandage overnight. Or use drawing salve if I have some made up. Really helps get it moving out. Now I'm hungry for thistles. Nice video

[mentalhealthmolly]

We tried milk thistle for the first time yesterday. The leaves are really nice in salad. The thistles were pretty mild on the young plants.

[LadySi]

What do you do with the bulbs on the thistle plants? I heard those were edible too!

[paleoanonymous]

I have a Burdock soup recipe I'll try replacing it with thistle roots. Have to wait until fall...just a little bit past root season in my area. I actually uploaded a video on my channel yesterday. First one.

[shalenaross]

Oh, this one!! shoot. really wish I'd watched this channel before mowing my aunts lot shes let grow over for the past 2 years... root system is still intact but I lost track of the locations.

[ArtichokeHunter]

I've seen people mention the same gas issues with thistle root as burdock root; any idea if being sensitive to that with burdock would suggest that thistle root would also be a problem?

[daynaocean]

I had NO idea that thistles were edible. They are growing all over my yard (as well as Burdock - but google made me afraid to eat the burdock, as there are some not quite as edible, it seems)
Back to thistles. Are all thistles edible, orher than Milk thistle? I'm getting mixed info on google, and I Really really want to cook them now.😂
Your videos are amazing.
My daughter and I LOVE to forage (Vancouver Island) and we feel this year is going to be AMAZING!!

[StevenKling-utsh]

Is this the same thing as milk thistle? I wish there was a close up at the beginning of the video.

[Kadrip]

I have Great Globe Thistle in my garden. How can I use this one as food? Thanks!

[delishuspear]

Hey Alan, those pants look rad - do you recommend them? if so what are they?

great video as always man, thanks for the info!

[SteeleCoachingUnlimited]

Lavender essential oil may help with thorns and splinters in skin.

[jakeh.]

video could use some annotations or even dictating out how things are spelled. I had a hard time finding kimpira, kuhn rikon, etc.