INTO THE WILD:

The Wilderness Picnic

Picnicking is one of the most popular uses of our preserves and parks. But most picnickers never venture into the wild parts of the preserves. This summer, mix a little wild nature with your potato salad.

Stopping along the trail at Independence Grove.

Photo by Chip Williams

Compiled by Don Parker

The Wild Palate

Diverse But Simple

Take a cue from healthy nature and think diversity: pack a smorgasbord of different foods, especially simple things that don’t require cooking. Chef Delia Smith’s list: “crusty bread, chunks of salami, ripe plum tomatoes, cheese, olives, pickled pimentos, peaches and huge black cherries and, of course, quantities of something Italian to drink.”

Higher Picnicking

Or impress taste buds by preparing more complex dishes ahead of time.

Devilled Eggs – Make them special with smoked salmon, fennel, capers, and chives. Click here for full recipe. (Courtesy Abby Mandel, Chicago’s Green City Market)

Apple-Gouda Sandwich – Smoked gouda cheese and thinly sliced apples, broiled on pecan raisin bread. Good to take hiking. (Courtesy Whole Foods Market. Click here for their many other picnic suggestions.)

Turtle Bay Papaya Salad – A cool mix of papaya, cucumber, and carrots, seasoned with garlic, cilantro, sugar, and lime. Serve chilled. Click here for full recipe. (Courtesy Alan’s Kitchen)

Gourmet Gorp

Gorp, or “Good Old Raisins and Peanuts,” is a trail staple for easy snacking. For a simple but addictive blend, combine mixed nuts, raisins, and M&Ms. To take your gorp to the next level, visit the Backpacker Magazine’s “Great Gorp Contest” to view more than 40 genre-bending recipes, including one from Chicago Wilderness’ own Pat Armstrong of Naperville.

Three Choice Picnics

Pack It In

Pack a meal, snacks, and water to stay in a preserve for an entire day. With no hurry to be anywhere, the increase in immersion can be dramatic. Choose a big preserve — Spring Creek Headwaters west of Palatine, Indiana Dunes, the Palos Preserves south of Lemont. Just walk softly on the ecosystem while you’re in it.

Base Camp Cookout

Staying at the picnic shelters allows for grilling, restrooms, sports on mowed lawns, coolers, and tables — but encounters with nature can be limited. While waiting for food, take a hike down one of the trails. In Poplar Creek Forest Preserve in Hoffman Estates, for instance, sauntering in only 50 yards can land you in an ancient oak woodland.

Unexpected Luxury

Surprise a friend with a three-course meal at the end of a hike — especially good for a surprise birthday or other special occasion.

Workday Feasts

Some restoration groups spend the morning removing (and burning) invasive species, then relax for a potluck lunch cooked over coals. Many weekends, North Branch Restoration Project volunteer Joe Walsh cooks bratwurst with peppers, onions, and spices in an old-fashioned cast-iron Dutch oven (click here for Joe’s tips). To find a group in your area, click here.

How to Picnic Lightly on the Land

Picking a good place to sit and eat is an art. The key is to picnic surrounded by nature, not on it. Frisbee players and picnic blankets (not to mention our own ample rear ends) can kill rare plant communities, so keep lawn sports to designated picnic areas.

The lowest-impact option is to use the picnic groves. But if you’re hiking, choose bare ground or a log to sit on. (Some forest preserves prohibit picnicking in sensitive areas—watch for posted signs.) Of course, don’t forget to consider shade, breeze, and view—moraines and other hilly features are usually great for all three.

Large groups should stick to the picnic groves. Groups larger than 25 must purchase a permit (which can be snatched up as early as January). Some forest preserves allow alcohol, but most prohibit glass containers.

Always pack all food and garbage out with you—even your apple cores. Wildlife that associates humans with food can become dependent, dangerous, and a nuisance.

Food Safety

Always keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot, especially meats and dairy. Use a cooler, and be wary of anything that’s been sitting out longer than two hours.

If carrying food all day, take along foods that will keep without refrigeration such as nuts, certain cheeses, foods prepared in oils, fresh fruits and vegetables (uncut is better), and no meat unless dried.