Wonderful Weeds: Lamb's Quarters

If you have been in this community for a while, you know that I am a supporter of eating weeds for your health and wellbeing and the sustainability of the earth.

Today, I would like to introduce you to my friend, Lamb's Quarters.

Lamb's Quarters thrive in disturbed soil, so they often come up in your garden. I encourage you to let them grow there since you won't find many more nutritious vegetables out there. It out competes most other vegetables in the vitamin and mineral contents it contains.

Plants can grow 3-5 feet high and the leaves and stems can be harvested for food. You can use the leaves in any recipe where you would used cooked spinach, but you will be getting even more nutrients! Eating large quantities of raw Lamb's Quarters isn't recommended as it contains lots of oxalic acid without being cooked.

Here is a tasty recipe that includes lamb's quarters:

Lentils, Beets, and Lamb's Quarter's
4 cups chopped Lamb's Quarters
1 cup cooked lentils
1 cup finely chopped beets
1- 2 cloves garlic or 1/4 cup chopped garlic scapes
1 T. ghee
1/4 t. cumin powder
1/4 t. black pepper
Salt to taste
Nutritional yeast (optional)

• Melt the ghee in a cooking pot, then add garlic and sauté briefly before adding the beets. 
   
• Add a little water to the pot and then cover with a lid and let the beets steam for a few minutes until a little tender. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook down until lamb's quarters are tender.
  
• Serve as a dish on it's own or put on top of a raw green salad and top with your favorite dressing. Enjoy!

As the summer progresses, the lower stalks of the Lamb's Quarters can get woody. It's best to use the leaves and stems near the top of the plant.

You can identify Lamb's Quarters by the dusty look of the new growth and the shape of the leaves. I hope you enjoy making your meals even more nutritious with wild weeds gracing your plate!

As humans, we need to connect to our environment to be healthy and happy! The weeds are waiting to be discovered! Nourishment abounds!