This is the time of year that Ransom (Bear's Garlic) is growing, particularly around the river's edge in Rivlin.

It is Allium ursinum and can be eaten. The broad leaves can be used in salads or cooked. The bulb can be dried.

Has anybody ventured to eat it, I must admit I have tasted a small amount. If so, how much are you supposed to eat or cook and if cooked, what type of meal would it go with.

The beauty of it is that, so I understand, one gets the garlic taste but no garlic aftertaste so one's breath does not smell.

Incidently, it is called bear's garlic as it was assumed that bears ate it after their winter hybination to restore the strength. I know there are no bears at Rivlin, hence the amount of Ransom.

Eat the flowers? I could imagine a sort of wild garlic and yoghurt dip. How about substituting it for the basil in a pesto to have with pasta? If I could find some growing in Nether Edge I'd start experiments immediately! If you're interested in eating wild stuff - a big bunch of chickweed makes a great addition to leek and potato soup, same for dandelion leaves.

Gather, wash and then chop like chives. Lovely on salads or sprinkled on soup. Yum

Are you allowed to go pulling-up wild flowers ?

Originally posted by nick2
Are you allowed to go pulling-up wild flowers ?

You don't take the whole plant up , or at least you shouldn't.

You only need the stalks, the roots stay intact. Look at it in the same way as gathering blackberries :)

They are called Ramsons not Ransoms and are a very common plant near streams. I like to put a couple of leaves in a sandwich when out for a spring picnic, often with peanut butter.

A few leaves added to mixed salad is good.

This is what they look like:
http://www.reticule.co.uk/flora/content/species.asp?506

Norbert, various internet sites have them as Ransons or Ransoms so I suggest we know which plant we are discussing and we take it from there