Lamb’s quarter is usually thought of as an annoying weed that must be banished from the garden. However, lamb’s quarter is actually very tasty and nutritious. Here are a few ways you can enjoy lamb’s quarter, as well as some of its nutritional benefits!
This week when I went out to my garden (it is a couple miles away currently) I found a row of weeds.
They almost looked as if they had been planted there, a perfectly straight line right where my beans were supposed to be growing.
Thankfully, they were a nice edible weed!
Lamb’s quarter can be used in place of spinach, either fresh or frozen, cooked, raw, or even canned.
This row of lamb’s quarter turned out working perfectly because the greens I planted didn’t come up anyways:).
Whether you are going to make lamb’s quarter chips, quiche, dip, or salad, you can enjoy the health benefits of this delicious weed.
You can use this wild edible in place of spinach in almost any recipe to boost nutrition and flavor.
The best part about this wild spinach? You can find it pretty much everywhere!
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What is Lamb’s Quarter?
Lamb’s quarter (chenopodium album) is a hardy, fast growing annual plant.
This plant is in the amaranthaceae family.
Lamb’s quarter has many common names including, white goosefoot, white pigweed, pigweed, fat hen and wild spinach.
The last name, wild spinach, refers to exactly what you can use lamb’s quarter for!
If you are having a hard time getting spinach to grow, why not try using lamb’s quarter in its place?
Where does Lamb’s quarter grow?
You can find lamb’s quarter all across North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Lamb’s quarter will grow in almost any soil, especially moist, well-drained soil. They often grow in gardens because lamb’s quarter likes to grow in disturbed soil that is rich in nitrogen.
This plant likes full to part sun, and can withstand heat, drought, frost and poor soil.
You can find lamb’s quarter along roadsides, in gardens, sunny areas, fields, and along wooded paths.
In short, be on the look out anywhere you go to find some of this delicious plant!
How to harvest lamb’s quarter
You can harvest and use the leaves, flowers, stems and seeds of lamb’s quarter, however, the leaves are most commonly eaten, and the only part we are discussing here.
To harvest lamb’s quarter, pick the young, tender leaves of the plant. Lamb’s quarter is a fast growing plant, so you can typically find plants in all stages of growing throughout the growing season in your area.
If you are only using the leaves, pick them before the plant goes to seed (a seed head will emerge from the top of the lamb’s quarter plant).
Because lamb’s quarter is a very hardy annual plant, you can be quite aggressive with how many leaves per plant you harvest.
Lamb’s quarter grows in abundance and will most likely come back even after a good pruning.
nutritional benefits of lamb’s quarter
Here are just few nutritional benefits of eating lamb’s quarter:
- Vitamin A – more than spinach and 2.5x more than kale contains
- Calcium – 3x more than spinach contains
- Vitamin B1 – 2x the amount as spinach contains
- Vitamin B2 – 2x the amount as spinach contains
- Vitamin C – 3x the amount as spinach contains
- Protein
- Fiber
Lamb’s quarter also contains anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, and laxative properties. It can also be used in treating urinary problems, bug bites, and skin issues.
7 ways to eat lamb’s quarter
You can eat lamb’s quarter any way you would spinach. Here are a few ways you should try it:
- Smoothies: Make a smoothie with berries, a banana, and milk. Throw in a handful of fresh or frozen lamb’s quarter.
- Quiche: Make a quiche and add in a handful of chopped fresh or frozen lamb’s quarter instead of spinach.
- Pizza: Spread alfredo sauce over pizza crust, top with sliced tomatoes, lamb’s quarter leaves, and mozzarella cheese.
- Wild Spinach Dip: Make lamb’s quarter dip with some sour cream, cream cheese, cheese, chopped-frozen spinach, and spices. Serve with some organic tortilla chips.
- Chips: Drizzle lamb’s quarter with a little bit of high-quality olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Spread on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 325 degrees fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes (until fully dry and crunchy). Make sure to stir every 8-10 minutes.
- Salad: Make a homemade dressing with lemon juice, oil, and salt and drizzle over fresh spinach. Add some berries, pomegranate, or chopped apples or pears.
- Eggs: Cook scrambled eggs, when almost done, throw in a handful of fresh, frozen or canned lamb’s quarter and top with cheese.
Lamb’s Quarter Chips
Ingredients:
- lamb’s quarter leaves
- olive oil
- sea salt (good quality)
Directions:
1. Wash and pat dry the lamb’s quarter.
2. Pour a small amount of olive oil onto the leaves.
3. Sprinkle the leaves with sea salt.
4. Pour onto a baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Stir every 8-10 minutes to prevent them from burning. The chips are done when they are dry and crispy but not burnt.
5. Enjoy within the same day!
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Want to plant lamb’s quarter?
You can get the seeds here: Lamb’s Quarter Seeds
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What is your favorite way to eat lamb’s quarter?
Let us know in the comment section!
