Foraging and Cooking with Thistles

Full post
https://foragerchef.com/edible-thistles/
Kinpira recipe I mention I typically make with burdock
https://foragerchef.com/burdock-kinpira/

Basic breakdown of how to cook different parts of thistles. For most foragers, the roots are going to be what you want, unless you're starving.

One clarification here. I mention meadow thistle as being the best one I've had, but honestly I'm still unsure exactly what they were. Originally I was sure it was Cirsium scariosum, but it could be Cirsium arvense or one of the other roughly 200 species in North America. The best way to find the tastiest edible thistles in your area will be to experiment and dig a few in the spring or fall to find the ones with the most tender roots.