Spring on Manitoulin brings the forests, fields and shorelines back to life, along with the return of many wild foods. One of the earliest is the tender new growth on spruce trees.
Fresh spruce tips are easiest to recognize when the bright lime-green buds first emerge from their papery brown casings. At this stage they are soft, citrusy and only mildly resinous. They can be chopped into salads, cooked into savoury or sweet dishes, or preserved by pickling. They are also naturally rich in vitamin C.
Timing changes with the weather from year to year, but the best harvest is generally early in the spring growth cycle.
Responsible harvesting matters. Take only a small amount from any one tree, spread your picking around the outer branches and leave the leader at the top of a young tree untouched because it controls vertical growth. Most importantly, gather only what you know you will use.
Written by Kristin Bickell, Local Food Manitoulin.