Chenapodium bonus henricus

Description

Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They wilt quickly after picking and should therefore be used immediately after harvesting. The leaves are best in spring and early summer; older leaves become tough and bitter. When eaten raw, they should only be consumed in small quantities due to potential toxicity. Young leaves can be finely chopped and added to mixed salads. Cooked leaves are a good substitute for spinach, especially when mixed with softer leaves. They are rich in iron. Young flowering shoots can be cooked and eaten, and are suitable as asparagus when they are thick enough. They can be blanched for a juicier shoot, although this may reduce the vitamins. Young flower buds are also edible after cooking, but it takes time to harvest enough due to their small size. The seeds can be ground and mixed with flour to make bread. They are small and difficult to harvest, but can be used to remove saponins after soaking overnight and thoroughly rinsing.

Guilds