Buzz
Every now and then, I escape the unrelenting rain of the Pacific Northwest to visit friends in the desert and lounge by the pool (while shamelessly showing off on Instagram). Most tourists focus on the usual attractions–the breathtaking views, museums, and restaurants–but there are those individuals who prefer to hike. As for me, I arrive in town and start scouring for food. On my recent winter escape to Arizona, I took advantage of the olive, citrus, and prickly pear harvest. Though I don't own property there, finding these edible treasures is always easy. No matter where you travel, locals often have surplus harvests and are eager to share them.
Forage your own edible treasures
The climate that blesses the Pacific Northwest with abundant berries and grapes doesn't exactly welcome citrus, olives, peppercorns, cactus fruit, and many other foods. Just like my homemade preserved tomatoes beat anything in a can, growing and preserving your own food results in fewer preservatives and often superior taste. And of course, there's the cost: it's hard to top free. Harvesting five gallons of olives gives me the freedom to experiment with recipes and use them more liberally than I would if I bought them. Have you seen how expensive peppercorns are these days? This is why I beg my friends traveling through California to gather bags of Peruvian Pink Peppercorns that literally fall from the sky.
Every location has its own local crops. In New Mexico, you'll find peppers; California boasts artichokes; and Georgia is famous for peaches. The desert offers capers, while the Pacific Northwest is home to hazelnuts. I collect albacore from the Oregon coast every early fall, and in Alaska, salmon is plentiful. If you spend enough time in the North and manage to convince someone to let you tap their trees, maple syrup will be in your future.
How to Locate a Free Harvest
My go-to spot is always Craigslist, where I search for 'olives' in the sale listings. In past years, I've scored them for free, though it's become a bit unpredictable lately. If you're unlucky and they’re not free, you might still find them for sale. But when it comes to grapes, olives, citrus, and nuts, people are often just eager to get rid of them before they rot on the ground.
How to Be a Respectful Harvester
Once you've made contact and the person agrees to let you harvest, remember to be respectful and considerate throughout the process. Treat the opportunity with care and don't forget to show gratitude for their generosity.
Bring boxes or buckets to gather your harvest. If you're in an unfamiliar city, boxes are often available on Craigslist or at a nearby liquor store. Will you need a fruit picker for things like apples or citrus fruits? You can either ask the homeowner to borrow one or find one yourself. The same applies to ladders. For harvesting grape leaves, grab clippers, and make sure to have Lysol spray to disinfect them, as it's important to prevent spreading plant diseases.
Dress appropriately for the task. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and gloves. Be sure to wear proper footwear. Is it going to be muddy? Opt for boots or shoes with good traction that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Remember, this is a mutually beneficial situation. You get free produce, and the homeowner gets some help with light cleanup, a process called gleaning. Be mindful not to leave bad fruit on the ground; either dispose of it or stack it neatly. Always check with the homeowner for their preferences on where and how to harvest. Be careful and respectful to avoid causing any damage while you pick.
Upon arrival, make sure to introduce yourself and express your gratitude. You'll meet interesting people and hear captivating stories. For example, when I was picking oranges, the homeowner shared that the house across the street had an open invitation to pick grapefruit, and there was a stunning iris garden just around the corner. Both were great finds.
How to transport your harvest home
Grabbing a bag of peppercorns is easy – just toss them in your bag and hop on a plane, no problem. However, when it comes to most items, you’ll need to plan a bit more in advance.
If you're traveling by car, a cooler might be all you need. I have a great one for camping that can keep things frozen for six or seven days. I juice the citrus, place it in freezer bags, flatten them, and then load them into the cooler. Even without a vacuum sealer, quality gallon Ziploc bags work just fine, and you can grab them at any store.
For items that can’t be frozen, jars are the go-to option. Olives require treatment with lye and brine before they’re shelf-stable. Similarly, lemon curd, made by a water bath method, is also stable, especially if you have an abundance of lemon juice (a friend of mine was '2023 Rich' in eggs from their flock, so I made a lot of curd). Jam, pie filling, preserves, or prickly pear syrup are also good for long-term storage when treated properly. Grape leaves can be preserved too, and with a pressure canner, you can preserve fish like albacore or salmon. While I don’t carry a pressure canner while traveling, you can likely borrow one from a local kitchen library or gardening group in the area. Jars are typically available at stores like Walmart, Target, BiMart, or a local farm store, and occasionally even a supermarket will have them.
To figure out what to do with your harvest, check out pickyourown.org or do some online research. We're living in an age where information is endless, so make the most of it. Why not turn it into a fun activity with the friends you're visiting?
The best part is that you don’t even need to travel far to harvest edibles. Your hometown likely has its own bounty just waiting to be collected. Use the resources mentioned above to locate them and get started. You’d be surprised how comforting fresh orange juice can be when enjoyed during a May snowstorm.
