Edible Non-native Garlic Mustard Plant
Garlic mustard grows along Ten Mile Creek and in wooded areas and fields in Marianna. Its roots produce a chemical that is toxic to other plants. My efforts never work to get rid of the plant on my own property. The plant is too invasive. I still pull it out when I can but now instead of discarding it, I use the fresh leaves in soups or sauces for its garlic-mustard flavor. I dry the leaves as well and grind them into a powder for use in winter recipes and to include in a salt shaker.
The leaves are nutritious in that they contain vitamins and minerals such as vitamins E, C, A, and a few B vitamins, plus calcium, potassium, copper, iron, manganese, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and magnesium. There are many other health benefits too, however, garlic mustard also contains some oxalates. Oxalates can have damaging effects on the human body depending on how much is eaten. Spinach and chocolate are examples of food with high oxalates. Consult your doctor before consuming any wild foods.
Fresh leaves are also good in salads, so long as you eat them when they are young. They can be used as a wrap too (even when larger) like cabbage is used for Halupki. All parts of the plant are edible. I have yet to try the roots, however, but that's on my next year's to/do list. I read they have a faint flavor similar to horseradish. I shall see.
Dried garlic mustard leaves, garlic-mustard pods & seeds
I use the seeds in dressings. It is a good idea if you plan to forage for the seeds that you are certain you pick the dried pods that contain the seeds of garlic-mustard only and not the seed pods of Dame's Rocket which look similar when dry (even though you can eat the young leaves, flowers, and seeds of Dame's Rocket, too!). And they grow next to each other. Dame's Rocket, however, usually goes to seed shortly after garlic-mustard goes to seed (but they are close enough that it might confuse someone who's not familiar with the timing of when the plants go to seed or their dry appearance). There is much more information in books and online in regards to Garlic Mustard and its uses.
This information is provided to you for educational purposes only. Proceed at your own risk. Do not eat any plants unless you consult an expert. Many plants in the wild can be dangerous to consume.
Store garlic mustard in a wood box or paper mache box. The light will take away the color if the glass is used, as seen on left.
On another note, I found this site very informative in regard to the spread and ecological threat garlic mustard poses; It is the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources (DCNR). Be sure to check it out.
DISCLAIMER-The content of this article is for educational purposes only. Before using or ingesting any wild herb or plant for edible or medicinal purposes, please consult a physician, medical herbalist, or other suitable professional for advice. Be overly cautious when foraging, don't eat anything in the wild you are unsure of, and never harvest more than half of a patch of any given plant.
