Lambs Quarters in my Backyard Weed Patch

I finally harvested the lambs quarters, a nationally wide-ranging herb appreciated by those who forage, which has been flourishing this year at the base of my loquat tree. I cultivate a raised bed herb and vegetable garden nearby using square foot garden principles- but this area is permitted to grow whatever comes up- dandelions, nasturtians, beefsteak perilla, etc, some of which I eat or prepare as tea.

This feral vegetable, or "weed," also referred to as pigweed or fat hen, is another nourishing super food from the goosefoot family which produces wholesome, protein complete quinoa, exceptionally heart healthy beets, calming, restorative chard, spinach, amaranth, etc. It is popularly consumed as a replacement for spinach, or as animal and poultry feed.

I favor greens and other produce that germinate easily, hold their value for long periods of time until I wish to eat them, taste and look good when served, and self-sow freely. Robust cut and come again plants are particularly appealing- hence I cultivate rainbow chard, herbs, mesclun, red giant mustard and arugula. Fortunately they often have some of the highest nutritional and health benefits for greens as well.

I delayed for months, having doubts about the wild vegetable taste. It is currently producing seed heads. The scent, uncooked, was a little harsh and acrid. I prepared an inexpensive lamb stock from neck bones. It cooks down quite a bit- like spinach- and the acrid odor/flavor was much reduced- resulting in a mild but savory greens dish.

I did more research. "Lambs Quarters is a 'purifier herb' and in its effort to cleanse the soil, it absorbs soil pollutants and artificial fertilizers and concentrates them in its leaves. Thus foragers should be weary of patches where this plant grows in abundance - it could be an indication of soil pollution. At the very least you should investigate what gets dumped in nearby fields or streams."

Lambs quarters is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds and is supposed to have full sun- which is definitely not the case between the fence, the orchid foliage and the loquat tree. But that is where it grew.