We have a laundry list of edible “weeds” that are available to us in the Eastern United States. Not only do a majority of these plants sprout through the concrete at angles thought to be impossible but they are also growing right in our own yards! Here are a few we have in the Hazelwood Food Forest…
Lambs Quarters- considered a super food, sometimes called “Wild Spinach”, enjoys growing in compost and manure piles, but will take over any bare soils. If this plant is outcompeting your spinach, you may want to consider letting it win. Lambs Quarters has a great nutritional value and is available for a large portion of the year. Harvest the leaves, leaving at least 2/3 to allow for re-growth.
Lambs Quarters 1 cup cooked nutritional value
Common Milkweed-Latin name, Asclepias Syriaca, has many edible uses including flower pods, young shoots, and seedpods. The seedpods of the milkweed are currently what is sprouting at the Food Forest. The Pods are very delicious when they are small (1-4 inches) and are similar to okra in texture. Pickle them, fry’m or do as you please as there is a lot of room for creativity with this vegetable. If you decide to eat the young shoots in the spring be sure to do some research and not mistake it for its poisonous look-a-like Dogbane. As always, a second opinion or a well-cited book (not the internet) are good things to have.
Common Purslane- sometimes called “Pusley”, is a powerful herb most commonly found in raised beds and well-aerated soils but will grow almost anywhere. This plant has the unique characteristic of containing large amounts of omega 3 fatty acids. It has range of different medicinal values including treatment of burns and trauma. In many countries, it is practice to grow this wonderful plant with the rest of your herbs. The whole plant can be eaten and is best when first sprouted.