Backyard Foraging: 65 Familiar Plants You Didn't Know You Could Eat
Sixty-five familiar plants you didn’t know you could eat are the stars of this impressively comprehensive guide by horticulturist Zachos, who stresses the “ease and elegance” of foraging familiar plants—greens, fruits, nuts, seeds, tubers, and fungi—in yards and nearby environs. Safety first is the mantra when harvesting in the hood, Zachos instructs. She also provides a section on such necessary “tools of the trade” as  bypass pruners and canning jars. She fully describes the categorically arranged 65 plants, from bamboo to redbud and ginkgo, providing how-to discussions on harvesting and preparation. Eye-catching sidebars on legality, quick plant identification, food-preparation tips, and more accompany the main text, which is abundantly illustrated with full-color photos throughout. Back matter includes instructions on freezing and dehydration and recipes  for syrups, jams, alcoholic beverages (“Dandelion wine is the color of sunshine”), baked goods, and savory dishes. --Whitney Scott