Wild Garlic is a joy to gather in woodlands, hedgerows, damp meadows and field edges at this time of the year providing a multitude of health benefits due to its unique composition of bioactive compounds. You will recognise the mild scent of Garlic in the air. Pinch the leaves to emit a more pungent odour and eat the buds to experience a delicious flavour of the herb with an underlaying taste of sweet green peas.

Once harvested, Wild Garlic leaves can be used in a variety of culinary dishes, including soups, salads, pesto, and sauces, adding a deliciously fresh and garlicky flavour to recipes. In making this tasty pesto, I used the leaves, buds and flowers because why waste any part of this incredibly generous and nutritious gift of Nature?

Wild Garlic contains many nutritional healing properties. The antimicrobial properties of allicin helps to fight against bacteria, viruses and fungi, potentially reducing the risk of infections. Anit-inflammatory properties are known to relieve arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular diseases. Powerful antioxidants including flavonoids and phenolic compounds help neutralise harmful free radicals in the body.

And that's not all, compounds and prebiotic properties found in Wild Garlic help to promote healthy digestion, support gut microbiota balance and alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.

Wild Garlic can be frozen by washing the leaves thoroughly and patting them dry with paper towels before popping them into a container for freezing. You can freeze this recipe too.

Essential ingredients

4 cups x chopped Wild Garlic Leaves, Flowers and Buds

1 x half Lemon (juice only)

40gms x Peacan Nuts (toasted for extra flavour)

1 cup x Organic Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil

2 tsp x Celtic Sea Salt (organic)

Ground Black Pepper (to taste)

2-4 crusty rolls - made with stone ground flour with no additives

Real Butter (unsalted) for rolls

How to prepare

1. Wash Wild Garlic leaves, flowers and buds and roughly chop into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add all the other ingredients (only 1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt) - the rest is for final garnish.
3. Bland gently with a pulsing motion using a hand blender or add to a large blender. Blend to your liking either to leave some texture or to create a creamy paste.
4. Pour into a glass jar (for serving) and put any remaining mixture into a container for freezing.
5. Prepare some artisan crusty rolls and spread with real unsalted butter.
6. Add pesto and top with grated Italian Parmesan Cheese, a drizzle of Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil, a sprinkle of Celtic Sea Salt and ground Black Pepper.
7. Serve of a large plate with sweetened Vine Tomatoes or a freshly made side salad.
   

Nutritious ingredients

Vine Tomatoes

A great source of vitamin E with vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, phosphorus and copper along with potassium, vitamin A, C and K - all of which support heart health with potassium and folate promoting proper cell function.

Wild Garlic

Wild Garlic is rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, phosphorus and copper. It also contains organosulphur compounds that improve cardiovascular health and inhibit carcinogenesis; phenolic compounds that inhibit enzymes associated with the development of human diseases; steroidal glycosides that strengthen the heart muscle; lectins that slow down the absorption of food which can be helpful in stabilising blood sugars, especially for diabetics, and a variety of essential amino acids that are highly beneficial to health.

Fresh Flat Leaved Parsley

Parsley is one of the richest sources of vitamin C with a high level of bone-strengthening vitamin K. Parsley also contains good levels of vitamins A and C with flavonoid compounds such as luteolin and apigenin. All of these essential elements have a powerful aklalining and antioxidant effect on the body, removing acidity and free radicals that would otherwise cause oxidative damage to the cells. Flat Leaved Parsley contains a greater concentration of nutrients than Curly Leaf Parsley although the latter is still a very healthy option if you have no alterative.

Pine Nuts (untoasted)

Pine Nuts are rich in magnesium, iron, antioxidants, zinc and protein, all of which help with diabetes management, heart health and brain health. Other essential nutrients include phosphorus and vitamin K. Pine Nuts are known to improve lipid profiles, reduce appetite and enhance brain function and  performance, making them a valuable addition to a healthy diet.

Organic Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil

The main type of fat in traditionally produced organic Olive Oil is monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Omega 3 fatty acids possess strong anti-inflammatory properties which lower the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's and vision loss. Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil also contains vitamins E and K. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that supports cellular repair function while vitamin K plays a key role in blood and bone health.

Italian Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan Cheese is considered a helpful food because it contains biologically active ingredients that benefit your body and general health. Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese which is considered a particularly healthy type of cheese because it is easy to digest and is full of essential cell and bone-building nutrients such as calcium and protein.

Sartori's Sarvecchio Parmesan is said to be the best with Parmigiano Reggiano the most popular. Both are expensive compared to normal cheese and have a wonderful strong flavour. For authenticity, look out for the hallmarks on the rind.

Lemon Juice 

Rich in vitamins C and B-complex and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, silicon, copper, and potassium. Considered to be a wonderful tonic that can help to cleanse and detoxify the entire body with exceptional antibiotic, antiseptic and anti-cancer properties. 

Celtic Sea Salt

This high-quality naturally harvested Sea Salt has 84 trace minerals that nourish and strengthen the body. You can also use Real Salt, or Pink Hymalayan Salt) - or a mixture as they each contain a few different essential minerals that are all needed for optimum health.

Black Pepper

Ground Black Pepper contains piperine which is a plant compound containing strong antioxidant properties.

I hope you enjoy making and savouring this supremely delicious and wholesome snack full of wholesome goodness and essential nutrients drawn from the soils of ancient woodlands where Wild Garlic thrives.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf