Page 82 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods
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Lamb’s Quarter, Chenopodium
album (AMARANTHACEAE)
LAMB’S QUARTER, Pigweed or Goosefoot is a sum- in the early, coolest part of the day and plunge into
mer annual found on every continent. It is tough, cold salted water for 10-20 min. and drain well. Can
hardy, and survives in many habitats preferring be used sparingly raw in salads, smoothies, juices, or
disturbed ground such as gardens, fields, cleared cooked and used like spinach; steamed, boiled, added
forests, and waste ground. It grows 1-6 ft. (0.3-2 m) to soups, stews, sauces, and egg dishes. They can also
tall in a branching, tapering, triangular shape. The be dried or frozen for extra winter nutrition. Flower
stems are stout, angular, and can be blue-green to spikes can be used as a broccoli substitute. Seeds can
purple or red striped. Young stems have hairs while be harvested in fall. Flower spikes can be hung to dry
older stems are smooth. It grows from a taproot and inside a bag. Seeds will fall when dry. Roll them gently
spreads by reseeding. with a rolling pin to release from the dry casing and
FLOWER: Flowers are borne on spikes between 4 sift from the chaff. Can be used as a cereal grain or to
and 8 inches (10-20cm) long. They are made up of add to pilafs or dals. Best soaked overnight and rinsed
densely packed yellowish green flowers that are ˡ∕₁₀ well, seeds must be cooked or frozen prior to consum-
inch (0.25cm) across and have no petals. These plants ing. They can also be ground into flour or sprouted.
bloom for 1-2 months from midsummer through fall. WILD GREENS SOUP: Collect 4-6 cups of wild greens
LEAF: Leaves are triangular, up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) (lamb’s quarter’s, dandelion, and chickweed). Plunge
long and 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide, and resemble the all greens into cold salted water and drain well. Chop
shape of a goose’s foot. They are light green and ap- well. Sauté 2 chopped onions and 2 chopped garlic
pear to have a white, powdery coating. cloves. Add 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
Add greens. Stir and serve hot.
EDIBLE PARTS: seeds, flowers, and leaves
WARNING: May contain saponins and oxalic acid. Best
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Very nutritious and used for
consumed in moderation, especially when raw. Har-
skin conditions when made into a poultice.
vest from unpolluted, untreated sites.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Harvest young leaves
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