Mountaincress salad

A coming of age ceremony for foragers who have achieved mastery. Collecting the rare ingredients for this salad proves they have learned everything there is to know about foraging. Considered a delicacy, the meal is typically shared with one's tutor if possible.
Collected from twelve diverse regions and requiring extensive travel, the salad is the culmination of a lifetime of knowledge. Many of the difficult to find herbs, roots and berries have poisonous look-alikes, requiring keen observation skills and knowledge.
The completed dish is a colorful mix of leafy greens, herbs, fruits, vegetables and spices. The flavor is described as a savory, light and refreshing taste. After all the hard work of collecting the ingredients, one surely savors this exquisite meal.
Many gourmands and noblemen have sought a bite of this dish to no avail, as there is nearly no way for anyone who isn't a master forager to correctly gather the required ingredients, and any who do end up eating all of their portion. As a point of pride, masters do not take requests to find those ingredients.

History

Originally requiring only 8 ingredients, the number grew as masters worked together to refine and improve the recipe with newly discovered ingredients.

Execution

The  previous graduating master will have left the ceremonial platter in a particular hidden ritual chamber, along with some candles and cutlery. A small barrel is set out with an animal hide covering the top, this space is used to prepare the meal. A pitcher of clear water is brought into the chamber and is poured into earthen cups. A portion of water is drank to clear the mind, then each ingredient is brought out and announced, along with describing the circumstances of its finding. Veggies and fruits are sliced, herbs and spices are crushed and ground, and a few dried roots and insect products are soaked in water. The seasoning is combined and poured over the salad, and after a word of thanks to their instructors, they eat the meal completely. Finishing the rest of the water, they clean the room and prepare for future participants.

Components and tools

The ingredients required resemble the old Earth equivalents of: Saffron, Turmeric, Strawberry, Swiss Chard, Arugula, Jicama Potato, Radish, Honey, Olive oil, Black pepper, Watercress, Cinnamon

Participants

The only two who can attend are the apprentice and thier tutor. If a tutor is deceased or otherwise unavailable, the ceremony is performed alone. Written instructions would be provided in that case.

Observance

An apprentice is encouraged to begin collecting for this quest early in thier education, as it may take an entire lifetime to find all the required ingredients. The last ingredients collected however, must be the fresh greens.

Related Ethnicities

• Micine