The Pacific Northwest is well known as a foodie paradise. Here, chefs can lean on outstanding locally grown and raised food to create memorable dishes that will leave you plenty full but also your wallet a little (or a lot) lighter.
Luckily for you, many of the most sought-after ingredients by chefs are also readily available to everyday residents of the region. All it takes is a little knowledge and sometimes some gear to head out to the forest or the ocean and start harvesting your own local delicacies.
Some of these foods can be found in local markets for prices exceeding $50/pound, so a short trip into the forest can quickly turn into a bountiful one when you’re in a honey hole.
Before you head out, be sure to check all local regulations for harvest guidelines, your plant and mushroom identification knowledge, permit requirements, and safety considerations. Every year, there are stories about folks who head out into the forest or to the ocean and never make it back.
Chanterelle Mushrooms
Pacific golden chanterelle mushrooms are Oregon’s state mushroom and one of the most sought-after wild edibles in the region.
You can find these brilliantly colored mushrooms in evergreen forests on the west side of the Cascades in the early to late fall after the rains have returned. In a good year, these mushrooms grow seemingly everywhere, so just pick a trail and head out into the woods, and there’s a good chance you’ll be able to stumble upon a few.
Dungeness Crab
This buttery sweet delicacy can be found in bays, estuaries, and along the coastline up and down the Pacific Northwest. Best of all, you can catch them right from the shore, pier, or dock!
If you take a walk along the piers, bridges, or docks in coastal towns with protected bays in Washington or Oregon, there’s a good chance you’ll see folks hanging around as their crab traps soak below.
If you want a little more of an adventure, then head to a town like Rockaway Beach, Oregon, where you can rent a skiff for a few hours to go set your crab traps out in the bay.
Huckleberries
Family huckleberry patches are one of the most well-guarded secrets in the entire Pacific Northwest. Often, the exact coordinates are passed down from generation to generation, and family trips are planned around the annual excursions to pick these succulent berries to fill the freezer for the upcoming year.
Huckleberries can be found from low-lying forests all the way up to alpine meadows, and the best way to find your own patch is to head out and start exploring.
Salmon
The Pacific Northwest is home to some epic salmon runs that bring in all five species of this silvery fish. There are some famous runs like the Bouy 10 king salmon run outside of Astoria that definitely require a boat to go after, but that doesn’t mean you can’t catch these incredible fish from shore as well.
From shore fishing along massive rivers like the Columbia to smaller streams, there are plenty of opportunities around the region to land a salmon to bring home for dinner.
Clams
Beaches up and down the Pacific Northwest are loaded with clam populations. Here, you can find butter, purple varnish, razor, littleneck clams, and more!
The most famous and sought-after clam in the region is definitely the razor clam. These huge clams draw big crowds to the beaches when the season opens, so grab your clam gun and sack and join in on the fun!
Note: Clams in the PNW are susceptible to PSP (paralytic shellfish poisoning), so be sure to check the status of the beaches before you head out! It may just save your life.
Morel Mushrooms
The arrival of morel mushrooms is often a welcome sign for foragers around the Pacific Northwest, signaling the arrival of spring and warmer days ahead. These unique-looking mushrooms grow in forests up and down the cascades and mountains to the east.
One popular place to search for them is in recently burned areas. No one quite knows why they pop up so prodigiously after a wildfire, but it can be easy to fill a bucket in a matter of minutes when you find yourself on a hot spot.
Blackberries
Ever-encroaching blackberries can be the bane of locals’ existence, as they are constantly forced to trim the fast-growing vines back every summer.
The one plus side is that vines that are allowed to grow eventually produce some of the sweetest wild fruit you’ll find anywhere. It’s no secret who’s been out picking these succulent berries, as they’ll come home with fingers dyed purple and will probably be sporting a few new scratches from trying to reach a little too far into these prickly brambles.
Oysters
While oysters aren’t quite as plentiful along the coasts as clams, there are still plenty of spots where you can legally harvest these marine delicacies. Check your local regulations carefully, as oyster harvesting can be subject to some pretty strict rules, and you want to make sure you’re not taking from private or commercial property.
Porcini Mushrooms
Porcini mushrooms, also known as king bolete, are another fall delicacy that usually shows up alongside chanterelles. These large, meaty mushrooms are one of the most sought-after in the region for their meaty texture, as they can be used in a variety of dishes.
Look for these mushrooms in forests all over the Cascade Range, but be careful with your identification, as several boletes can look similar.
Rockfish
Rockfish are among the most accessible and delicious fish to catch along the coastlines of the Pacific Northwest. They can often be found along rocky shorelines or along jetties and are not very discerning about the type of lures or bait they bite.
Make sure to keep an eye on the sea, though, as sneaker waves can easily sweep you off your feet and into the ocean below.
