Starting with the vanilla flavoured things, my favorite is probably Nocino!! You make it by fermenting unripe black walnuts in a high proof, neutral spirit for 1-3 months then adding (optional) simple syrup after straining. I use it in my baking all the time, and it tastes similar to vanilla just with nuttiness and more depth if that makes sense? You can also add other herbs and spices to it to deepen the flavour, like cinnamon or clove. Another one is dried white clover, but the flavour isn't super strong. I've thought about trying to make a concentrate woth it for a stronger vanilla flavour, but haven't tried that yet. I've heard similar things about dried sweet clover, which does smell a lot like vanilla but haven't tried it myself.
Dried staghorn sumac berries can replace lemon juice or zest, as it creates a tangy and sour powder! You can also make a lemonade substitute with the berries.
My absolute favorite wild growing plant is Linden! The fruit, when roasted and ground, make a lovely cocoa powder substitute! I've heard the chocolatey flavor can be a bit volatile and disappear after a few days, but in my experience it stayed chocolatey for the whole week or so my brownies lasted! Be careful with it though, as it has been used medicinally to treat anxiety and insomnia and may make you very relaxed!
Wild endive, or Chicory, root can be roasted and ground to make a nutty, toasty, burnt-sugary tasting powder that smells very strongly of coffee! It can make a nice caffeine free coffee sub, or can be used to flavour teas or baked goods!
And of course we can't forget magnolia! I love using it in place of ginger for cookies and cakes! You fan also pickle them
I'm sure there's tons I'm forgetting but these are some of my favorites!
I'm in southwestern mi, which i believe is either zone 5 or 6 depending on the map you look at lol
