Page 134 - The Lost Ways

Peppergrass is another bountiful herb that is widespread thanks to the European settlers.
This herb can be found just about anywhere that is forgotten by modern agriculture,
disused by humans, but still far from pristine natural. It can be found in vacant lots, along
roadsides, in overgrown back yards, and everywhere in between.

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Peppergrass is a member of the mustard family and has a bitter taste. The young shoots
are eaten as a potherb. If it’s too bitter, change the water once or twice during cooking.
You can collect and dry the seeds and seed pods all season to season meat dishes or
roasted tubers. Use it as a seasoning: sparingly on your salads and happily in your soups
and stews.

Pigweed (Amaranthus Retroflexus, Amaranthus Hybridus)

Annual herb; harvest in the spring, summer, and fall

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Pigweed, or Amaranth , is not native to America, but it grows abundantly, especially
wherever the soil has been disturbed.

For this reason, it’s looked at as an undesirable weed by the agriculture industry, which is
a shame because it’s hardy, nutritious, and delicious. Pigweed has no poisonous
lookalikes, and all species of Amaranth are edible. In the spring, before the stalks become

woody, you can pick young pigweed leaves and eat them raw or cooked. They make a nice

27 "Lepidium virginicum", by: Forest and Kim Starr, (CC BY 3.0)
28 "Pigweed", by: United Soybean Board, (CC BY 2.0)

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