In Russia since ancient times, the diet was supplemented with herbs such as nettle, sorrel, quinoa.
In Sakha Yakutia, flour from the roots of an umbrella is used. Some plants that are grown abroad as vegetable, we do not consider them as such and do not enter the daily menu.
For example, in Japan and China, the shooter ordinary and burdock are considered vegetables, they are cultivated in agriculture. In Europe, acorns have been used for the production of coffee substitutes for a long time, as we have chicory.
Clover was consumed in soups in Germany, Austria, and in Ireland its heads were dried, crushed and added to bread-baking flour.
The authors of the book were tasked to indicate those suitable for food wild plants that were within walking distance of the Leningraders, i.e. grew everywhere. In total, of those suitable for food, the authors counted 5 lichens, dozens of species of fungi and 140 species of plants proper.
They were indicated as edible and as part of plants, for example, on young shoots and birch leaves. The source of the starch indicated the rhizome of reeds, etc. The simplest recipes are salads from fresh plants, with minimal dressings of oil, vinegar, salt, sugar, various seasonings.
From the solid parts of plants, it was recommended to cook soups, to cook mashed potatoes, pancakes, cutlets. Ways of storage - drying, souring, salting. Many drawings of plants for the book had to be done from nature. Plants after the work was allowed to eat. In a hungry time this was the best payment for work.
