Seasonal Spotlight: Lamb's Quarter

Lamb's quarters are a weed-like plant that most people don't realize is edible and tasty.

Also called wild spinach, pigweed, and goosefoot, lamb's quarter is common in Europe and Asia and the leaves and seeds of the plant have been found in the stomachs of mummified remains excavated from the bogs of Denmark. Both leaves and seeds are edible, and nutritious. Lamb's quarters grow to about four to six feet high with green leaves that are shaped like the webbed foot of a goose (hence, its alternative name of goosefoot.) The central stem is squarish and woody, and is used as a walking cane in China. The leaves have a white substance coating the undersides. The taste has been described as earthy and similar to spinach and kale.

Disclaimer: while we may often discuss wild edible foods here on The Kitchn, we do not advocate anyone consuming wild foods unless they can positively identify them or can acquire them from an expert, and are certain that they are free of pesticides.

(Image: Kathryn Hill)

Comments (6)

How nutritious can it be, if you still end up mummified in a bog in Denmark? ;)

Europe is a big and varied continent. Its not common (or known, I'm thinking) in this country.

It may not be widely known by name, or as food--but it's quite common as a "weed". I've had it come up in every garden I've had--and once I knew that it was edible and tasty, used to pick it young, blanch and freeze it, and eat it as a spinach substitute all winter long. Unlike spinach, it doesn't go straight to seed and get bitter in summer weather.

Funny to see this post today - I just sauteed some lamb's quarters for tonight's dinner! I discovered it last year at my local farmer's market and fell in love with it. The taste is similar to spinach but the leaves have a little more body to them. Plus, the variety we get here is just beautiful to look at - instead of white, the dusty coating on the leaves is bright pink! It's called "magenta spreen".

People are paying $5.00/lb for lamb's quarter?

I'm in the wrong business.

But then again, I'm amazed that people in my area will pay $5.00 for a pint of blackberries while they're in season and growing rampant throughout the state.

wvlinz, sorry - by "this country," I meant England - as in, I can't vouch for the whole of Europe.