Picking ginkgo
We went to pick ginkgo seeds this past weekend. A lot of the seeds were still on the tree and haven’t fallen to the ground yet. We still got a good pound or two though. After squishing and washing away the extremely smelly outer layer/flesh, the seeds are now sitting on a cardboard box drying.
Ginkgo seeds are purportedly good for you. It’s natural and full of nutritional and medicinal value. Ginkgo trees are one of the oldest trees on earth. Though only the female trees bear any fruit, while the male just stand there and look pretty. It’s hard to miss a ginkgo tree (its leaves are like a fan-shape), although it can take some time before you can locate a female tree. A lot of people choose to plant the male tree to avoid having to deal with the smelly fruits.
I got quite a few stares, while I was fully gloved, holding a plastic bag, and squatting, scooting along covering inches of ground searching for the yellow fruit among the gazillion leaves. It’s not a pretty sight to be sure. But the seeds are oh so good (must be de-shelled and cooked).
* Ginkgo seeds can be used in making soup, porridge, or dessert. I mostly boil them, like beans.