Common Sorrel

Rumex acetosa

Member of dock family which will become obvious when the plant goes to seed, the red tinged little balls bear a strong resemblance.

Common Sorrel Seeds

It has a grape skin like flavour which is often described as lemony which makes this wild edible excellent when paired with fish and a great additive to mayonnaise and garlic aiolis. One popular recipe is whole roasted bass stuffed with sorrel (into the stomach cavity).

It is a grassland perrenial that is extremely abundant in meadows and pastures.

It two main medicinal applications are its diuretic properties used to treat sinusitis and in the past it was used to prevent scurvy.

Although it contains oxalic acid and best avoided by those who suffer from kidney stones, the amount of oxalic acid is tiny and can be found in many other common shop-bought foods such as rhubarb, spinach and coffee.

They can be eaten raw or cooked, put into salads cooked with fish as previously mentioned, made into a puree, used in hummus-type dipping sauces or added to soups. It's even been used in desert recipes and added to smoothies. 

I think this is a good wild food to experiment with because it's acidic flavour gives it a lot of applications. Personally I plan on making an anchovy dressing for broccoli tenderstems with my sorrel haul, giving it that zesty kick as well as that bright green, salsa verde feel.