Weeds: From nuisance to nouvelle cuisine
Weeds should not necessarily be seen as those plants we simply trample on. Instead, they offer potential to nourish both body and soul. A new book by writer and activist, NIKKI BRIGHTON, transforms these overlooked plants in greenspaces, verges and parking lots into a vibrant, free pantry
Wild poppy (Papaver aculeatum) Photo from Wild about Weeds
Writer and activist Nikki Brighton has used her extensive knowledge of indigenous flora in her new book, packed with ideas on foraging for edible weeds Photo By Keran Elah
In a world where convenience often overshadows connection, writer Nikki Brighton is a refreshing voice, urging us to rediscover the wild plants beneath our feet. A long-standing member of the Botanical Society of South Africa (BotSoc) and the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW), Nikki has spent decades studying and championing indigenous flora. But her latest mission is focused on something closer to the kitchen. With her new book, Edible Weeds – Identify Common Uncultivated Food, she invites us to reconsider the wild plants often dismissed as nuisances and discover their potential to nourish both body and soul.
Nikki describes herself as a culture disruptor, a title that perfectly encapsulates her life’s work. “We cannot continue as we are,” she says. “The planet demands that we do things differently, and I see myself as one of the people trying to shake up the status quo.” This ethos runs through her latest work – a pocket-sized guide crafted to inspire and empower a new generation of foragers.
What is a weed? A weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, growing where it conflicts with human preferences, needs, or goals.
The Making of Edible Weeds
The seeds for this new book grew from Nikki’s interactions with readers of her previous books and attendees of her popular foraging workshops. These workshops, designed to teach people how to identify and safely forage edible weeds, revealed a common theme: a need for a portable resource to take along on walks. Edible Weeds is the ideal answer to this need. It blends Nikki’s vast knowledge with practical tools for both the curious beginner and seasoned forager alike.
Packed with beautiful images and detailed descriptions, the book provides the common and scientific names of each plant alongside their identifying characteristics. Nikki also gives culinary ideas for the plants, with recipe tips and flavour comparisons of each species. For example, did you know that many weeds growing in disturbed soil can add a peppery zing, a spinach-like texture, or a citrusy brightness to your meals? With Edible Weeds, the once overlooked plants in your nearby greenspaces, verges and parking lots transform into a vibrant, free pantry.
At its heart, Edible Weeds is a tool for empowerment. Nikki’s goal is to make foraging accessible and enjoyable for everyone, whether you’re exploring your garden, walking in the veld, or adventuring further afield.
In 2023, Nikki published her book, Wild about Weeds, an introduction to foraging for uncultivated food
Nikki’s new book, Edible Weeds, features beautiful photos and detailed descriptions of plants.
A taste of Nikki’s work
A taste of Nikki’s work
A taste of Nikki’s work
A taste of Nikki’s work
A taste of Nikki’s work
Eating Our Losses
Her philosophy on conservation is as creative as it is practical. Rather than viewing invasive plant species – which often choke out indigenous species – solely as a problem, Nikki reframes them as an opportunity. She calls herself an “invasivore”, and is full of ideas on how to consume these plants, something she jokingly refers to as “eating our losses”. In this way, readers can contribute to ecological restoration through a delicious meal.
“Weeds don’t grow in untouched wilderness; they thrive where humans have disturbed the soil,” she explains. “By understanding their role in regeneration and turning them into food, we can heal both our landscapes and our plates.”
The Power of Mindfulness
Nikki’s ideas have been formed by her daily walks – a practice in mindfulness during which she closely observes her surroundings and journals about her findings. This habit has allowed her to detect subtle changes in local biomes, offering valuable insights into how plants are adapting – or struggling – in the face of environmental pressures. She hopes her readers, as well as our BotSoc audience, will adopt a similar practice of mindfulness.
“When you start to see the plants around you – how they grow, what they need and how they contribute – you develop a profound respect for nature’s intricacies,” she says. “Noticing these changes fosters a deeper connection to the environment and a sense of responsibility for its well-being.”
Her journals serve as a personal record of environmental shifts and a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of all life. This mindful approach is woven into the fabric of Edible Weeds, urging readers to slow down, pay attention and embrace the wild with intention.
Nikki hosts workshops for both beginners and seasoned foragers to join her on what she calls her “weed walks”.
According to Nikki, there’s a sense of joy and peace when we adopt a mindful approach to life, and we remember the interconnectedness of all things, including our connection to weeds. Photo by Jen Miller
Rediscovering the Wild
The natural world offers far more than we often realise – and Nikki Brighton’s work is a reminder of this. By embracing the wild plants around us, we not only enrich our diets, but also deepen our connection to the earth. Edible Weeds takes the reader on that journey: it’s an invitation to walk more mindfully, to notice more deeply and to live more sustainably. And it’s a way to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary and rediscover the wild, one weed at a time.
Writer, activist and locavore, Nikki Brighton, aims to challenge conventional thinking. If you’re intrigued by her ideas, be sure to read her blog, which offers a deeper dive into her foraging philosophy, conservation work and mindful practices. It’s filled with stories, tips and reflections; a treasure trove for anyone eager to learn more. Nikki’s books can be ordered directly off her website. Visit her blog here and her website here.
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