Wild Greens for Eatin’ 3

Lamb’s Quarters is usually called as wild spinach in other names. The plant usually makes its debut when all other wild greens had grown too mature, too bitter, or virtually uneatable (sans inedible). It is called a wild spinach because it actually tastes like one, and it has the same, if not more, nutritional value and mineral content.

It is easily identifiable because of its spear-shaped leaves with light green shades and white undertones. These plants are usually found near roadsides (avoid these, they might have exhume residues sticking to them, resulting in bad taste and possible poisoning), waste areas (again, safety is reiterated), and anywhere that is open and has no trees.

The plants (young ones) can be picked off the ground, and eaten. Although it may grow mature, the tender leaves from the younger portions of the plant can be eaten up till the end of summer.

Shepherd’s purse (you’d think it’s a pun, but it’s purely coincidence). The name comes from the heart shaped pods that look like shepherd’s purses (or pouch, or food bag, or whatever they use for carrying their food). It is an annual plant that starts to appear during winter, appearing from a center fold of tall leaves. These plants can be commonly found in open fields, country roads (relatively safer to eat, as the only thing you have to worry about is dust), pastures and meadows. The plant can be eaten raw in itself, or tossed in a salad.

Toothwort is a more known wild green, mostly used by the pioneers. Anticipated due to its early breaking from the snow, toothwort has been an important shadow of the culture of the pioneers. Toothwort is also known as “crow’s feet” because of the shape of its leaves. Another specie of toothwort is also edible, so no worry is needed.