Wild Foods Walk, Mumbai
Disclaimer: This walk was a supervised event. We do not encourage people to try foraging on their own without expert knowledge and support.
With the intention of learning about monsoon wild foods growing in the city, The Locavore organised a Wild Foods Walk as a part of the #WildFoodProject. The Wild Food Project is The Locavore’s attempt to study, archive, and celebrate indigenous forest produce, and the vast traditional knowledge that surrounds it.
Thirteen curious Mumbaikars gathered at Sanjay Gandhi National Park with comfortable rain shoes and an open mind to forage for food on this wild food walk. Led by Shailesh Awate of OOO Farms—a TL partner producer that focuses on reviving heirloom seeds and setting up seed banks—the group set out to explore the lush surroundings and find edible treasures amid the foliage.
Shailesh Awate of OOO Farms guiding the attendees ANd Holding tera, AN Edible Plant. Photo By Team Locavore.
A science that prioritises attentiveness, foraging engages all of the senses. On this morning, attendees observed sounds of water flowing throughout the trail and accompanying scents of wet soil. On the roads snaking through the national park, women sold cut raw mango with chilli powder and salt.
A guest on the walk, Kumail Amiruddin, shared, “I don’t think I ever realised how much biodiversity exists in my city, and how little I know about it. Like the family of deer grazing and drinking water in the middle of our walk, that was incredible to chance upon. It’s been truly eye-opening to see how easily we overlook these spaces, and how important it is to preserve them.”
(L) KENA (Commelina benghalensis) (R) alu (wild colocasia). Photos by Team Locavore.
Wild turmeric leaves are popularly used to make patolya, a traditional Maharashtrian sweet made with rice flour, coconut, and jaggery. The dish is wrapped in the leaves and steamed. Photo by Team Locavore.
Chikan Bhendya has a soft and slippery texture, akin to the fabric it is named after. Photo by TEAM Locavore.
The Wild Food Zine, created by a group of interdisciplinary volunteers, OOO Farms, and The Locavore team, documents some of the wild foods we saw on this walk, and much more. Along with information on seasonality and how to identify these foods, the zine also includes recipes. You can buy your copy here.
At The Locavore, we love planning and executing events that highlight India’s diverse local foods, celebrating community, sustainability, and cultural heritage. Our events feature engaging workshops, discussions, immersive experiences and other formats that connect you to India’s rich food culture. Interested in collaborating or having us organise an event? Reach out at connect@thelocavore.in.
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