EP46: Foraging In Italy

EP46: Foraging In Italy

Author: Robin Harford July 12, 2023 Duration: 34:46

This week on the Eatweeds podcast, we travel to the remote, idyllic region of Abruzzo, Italy, a haven for foragers, to meet our special guest, Marta Udalowa. Originally hailing from Poland, Marta has turned her passion for wild foods into a lifestyle, immersed in the bounty of nature.

Join host Robin Harford as he engages in a fascinating conversation with Marta, a master pickler, about life in the Italian countryside, the art of foraging, and the delightful practice of pickling and preserving. This episode shines a spotlight on how Marta bridges the gap between the wild and the kitchen table, making the most of both cultivated and uncultivated plants.

In episode 46, "Foraging In Italy", you'll discover:

- The magic and abundance of Abruzzo’s unique flora, a true paradise for foragers.
- The secrets and techniques of pickling and preserving, passed down through generations and honed by Marta to perfection.
- The value and satisfaction of country living, and how the line between wild and cultivated foods can blur in a beautiful synergy.
- Marta’s personal experiences and stories of foraging in Italy, offering a fresh perspective on wildcrafting.

Whether you're a seasoned forager or just starting to explore the world of wild foods, you won't want to miss this insightful and inspiring episode. Discover how Marta's Italian adventure can provide you with new ideas for your own foraging practices, and maybe inspire you to try your hand at pickling!

Connect With Marta (Forager In Italy)

Back Matter

Follow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

And if you're ready to discover the secrets of Britain and Ireland's wild plants, get my bestselling foraging book. In it I teach you how to safely thrive from nature's larder.


There's a quiet revolution happening just outside our doors, in the hedgerows, parks, and forgotten corners of the landscape. Eatweeds Podcast: For People Who Love Plants is your guide to that green world, hosted by forager and ethnobotanist Robin Harford. This isn't just a list of what's edible; it's a deep, sensory dive into our relationship with the flora around us. Each episode feels like a walk with a knowledgeable friend, one who points out not just the names of plants, but their stories, their historical uses, and their place in both ancient traditions and modern kitchens. You'll hear conversations that weave together practical foraging tips with cultural anthropology, exploring how plants have sustained human life for millennia as food, medicine, and material. Robin brings on experts and practitioners who share their hands-on experiences, from turning acorns into flour to understanding the medicinal compounds in a common weed. The podcast moves seamlessly from the science of plant identification to the folklore buried in their old names, creating a rich tapestry that connects listeners directly to their environment. It’s for anyone who has ever looked at a plant and wondered, "What's your story?" This series provides those answers, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wild, often overlooked bounty that grows all around us, making every walk an opportunity for discovery and connection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Eatweeds Podcast: For People Who Love Plants
Podcast Episodes
EP41: It’s Not Just For You Human [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:54
A short audio essay on sustainable harvesting and ethical wildcrafting. Spoken by Robin Harford from Eatweeds.
EP40: Plants & Colour with Flora Arbuthnott [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:42
In this episode I talk with natural plant dye artist, Flora Arbuthnott. We discuss her fascination with using wild plants to create beautiful art and how the practice of gathering feedsback into nurturing creativity and…
EP39: What's That Plant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
Mark Duffell is one of Britain's foremost botanists and ecologists. We discuss... The best way for beginners to learn plant identification. Why the ecology of a plant is important to know before harvesting. Forager or pi…
EP38: Let's Talk Trespass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:37
Nick Hayes author of the 'Book of Trespass' discusses the reason why Right to Roam is so important to the nation's mental health and wellbeing. Why access to the countryside helps people deepen their connection to nature…
EP37: Sound Walks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:18
Emma Welton, a musician who lives locally to me discusses listening as a nature connection practice. How active listening can develop a deep empathic relationship with the natural world. The section on using sound to ide…
EP36: Nettle Eater [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:05
Tom Hirons is a nature based poet and storyteller. In this interview we discuss his work and how as creative humans we can all express our inherent wildness through creative and magical acts. Show notes at eatweeds.co.uk…
EP34: Prison Plants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:14
Nicole Rose runs Solidarity Apothecary which materially supports revolutionary struggles and communities with plant medicines to strengthen collective autonomy, self-defence and resilience to climate change, capitalism a…
EP33: Foraging, Rewilding and Nature Connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:55
Lucy O'Hagan takes us on a journey exploring ancestral ways and rewilding, foraging and nature connection. Why do it and how relevant is it in a hyper connected digital world. Show notes at eatweeds.co.uk