Food for Free (1972)

by Richard Mabey

Other authors: Marjorie Blamey (Illustrator), Helen Stevenson (Editor)

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363	2	71,490	(4.05)	5
This fully updated special edition of the classic complete guide to the edible species that grow around us includes a new foreword from the author and a plate section with identification guides for all major species. Originally published in 1972, Richard Mabey's classic foraging guide has never been out of print since. Food for Free is a complete guide to help you safely identify edible species that grow around us, together with detailed field identification notes and recipes. In this stunning 50th anniversary edition, Richard Mabey's updated text is accompanied by a wealth of practical information on identifying, collecting, cooking and preparing, as well as history and folklore. Informative illustrations of key species by expert botanical artists are included in a colour plate section. Beautifully written and produced in a new, readable format, Food for Free will inspire us to be more self-sufficient and make use of the natural resources around us to enhance our lives.… (more)

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The definitive guide to collecting wild food. Wierdly, this book of "edible wild plants" opens with shellfish but it is both informative and engrossing. Read for reference or education, it is pleasing on every level. The recipes are integral to the text and not laid out in conventional cookery style but this a book about plants to eat rather than a kitchen handbook. To be fully effective, this wonderful volume should be used alongside a botanist's field guide and a chef's recipe book. (

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TheoClarke | Aug 10, 2009 |

A very interesting book, including recipes and ideas for how to use natural ingredients gathered from woods, fields and seashore. I've tested out the nettle soup, and it was delicious!
However the sections on identifying plants are not very detailed, and the introduction recommends the use of a separate guide to identification. The book would also be improved by cross-referencing the list at the front, stating what foods are available in which month, with the entries on the relevant plants. (

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asnackate | Sep 30, 2007 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Richard Mabey	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Blamey, Marjorie	Illustrator	secondary author	all editions	confirmed
Stevenson, Helen	Editor	secondary author	all editions	confirmed

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1972

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Unfortunately someone has combined the "Collins Gem" version and the much larger (in every sense) Collins Natural History versions. Anyone fancy separating them?

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This fully updated special edition of the classic complete guide to the edible species that grow around us includes a new foreword from the author and a plate section with identification guides for all major species. Originally published in 1972, Richard Mabey's classic foraging guide has never been out of print since. Food for Free is a complete guide to help you safely identify edible species that grow around us, together with detailed field identification notes and recipes. In this stunning 50th anniversary edition, Richard Mabey's updated text is accompanied by a wealth of practical information on identifying, collecting, cooking and preparing, as well as history and folklore. Informative illustrations of key species by expert botanical artists are included in a colour plate section. Beautifully written and produced in a new, readable format, Food for Free will inspire us to be more self-sufficient and make use of the natural resources around us to enhance our lives.

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