Salty . Juicy . Moorish
If you're lucky enough to live near publically accessible tidal marshes, you may not have realised that a succulent samphire grows within!
Marsh samphire (Salicornia sp.), or "glasswort" as its other common name, is an annual found as green to reddish coloured, single stemmed, swollen, finger-like plant standing like a soldier in the muddy flats of the marsh, along the British Coastline. If you are equipped with wellies and a bucket, you are most prepared (do be careful not to sink too far!)
It can be picked and eaten straight from the marsh, which is the best way to experience its true flavour; like a 'popping salty' treat, when the tide has "washed over" and cleansed. You will find them side-by-side like an army.
June - July: Young shoots / cut ABOVE the roots / do not pull out / height 10 -15cm
August - Sept: More branched shoots / cut ABOVE the roots / height up to 30cm
Preparing for dishes: With a handful of marsh samphire, wash the sand and mud off, add a little water and butter to a medium heated pan, simmer for a few minutes (do not boil), drain, serve hot as a fancy starter or as a vegetable side!
REMEMBER: your golden rules of foraging