Charnwood Foraging

Recognise Plants and Fungi Growing Wild

Pickled Ash Keys

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A traditional countryside preserve with a delicious caper-like flavour

Pickled Ash Keys are one of Britain’s forgotten wild foods. By harvesting the young green seeds of the Ash tree and carefully preparing them, you can create a tangy, savoury condiment that pairs beautifully with cheese, cold meats, and salads.

The secret lies in removing the bitterness through repeated boiling before preserving the keys in a richly spiced vinegar liquor.

🌿 Forage for

Young green Ash Keys (Fraxinus excelsior)

📅 Foraging Time

May to June

The keys should be collected while they are still soft, green, and immature.

📍 Foraging Site

  • Woodland edges
  • Hedgerows
  • Parkland
  • Healthy Ash trees away from busy roads

Harvest responsibly and avoid damaging branches.

⏳ Patience Required

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate to High) – several rounds of boiling and a few weeks of maturation

🧺 Ingredients

  • 500g young Ash keys
  • Salt

For the pickling liquor:

  • 500ml white wine vinegar or cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • 1 fresh chilli (optional)
  • 1 tsp curry powder or a few curry leaves
  • Additional spices to taste

👩‍🍳 Method

  1. Harvest the Ash keys Collect young green Ash keys while they are still tender and flexible.
  2. Wash thoroughly Remove any stalks, insects, and debris.
  3. First boil Place the keys in a pan of water and boil for 20 minutes.
  4. Change the water Drain and refill with fresh water.
  5. Repeat three more times Boil for 20 minutes in fresh water a total of four times, changing the water after each boil. This helps remove bitterness and improves the texture.
  6. Prepare the pickling liquor While the final boil is underway, place the vinegar and chosen spices into a saucepan and gently heat for around an hour. This allows the flavours to fully infuse.
  7. Drain the Ash keys After the final boil, drain thoroughly.
  8. Pack sterilised jars Fill sterilised jars with the cooked Ash keys.
  9. Add the hot pickling liquor Pour the hot spiced vinegar over the keys until completely covered.
  10. Seal and mature Seal immediately and store in a cool dark place for at least 3–4 weeks before eating.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

  • As a caper substitute
  • With cheese boards
  • Added to salads
  • Chopped into tartare sauce
  • Served alongside cold meats and charcuterie

💪 Nutritional Benefits

Ash keys contain fibre and various plant compounds, although this preserve is primarily valued for its unique flavour and traditional heritage.

⚠️ Safety & Foraging Note

Only harvest young green Ash keys from correctly identified Ash trees.

Always ensure correct identification before consuming any wild food.

Given the ongoing impact of Ash Dieback, harvest lightly and respectfully, taking only a small proportion from any tree.