Weed and Feed

Familiar title, yes? If you are a lawn fanatic, you probably have a working relationship with Monsanto and their extensive line of chemicals to wage war on weeds. Did you know that the humble dandelion is almost singularly responsible for the annual use of millions of gallons of lawn herbicides?

I've long advocated that a "weed" is just an otherwise acceptable plant that happens to be where you don't want it. Here's an example: gardeners put out a lot of time, energy, tired muscles and dirty fingernails to keep a plant called Lambs Quarters from taking over the vegetable garden. This edible plant is usually pulled and tossed on the weedpile. If you are a gardener, you may want to rethink this situation.

Lambs Quarters are full of nutrition. You may have spent hours on your knees weeding out a plant that compares favorably to almost any cultivated vegetable in its vitamin A and C content. It is often called "wild spinach" by foragers. Lambs Quarters can be easily substituted for any recipe involving spinach, and is more nutritious.



This prolific plant shows up entirely on it's own in the garden. You don't even have to plant it - how cool is that?! It is hardy and sticks around all season, which is more than can be said for many garden greens. Here are some specimens from our garden:

You are probably saying to yourself, "So THAT'S what that pest is called!" as you recogize the distinctive leaves and powdery stems. But take a few moments here to reconsider. Remember, this is edible. It's easy to grow - hey, it even sows itself. Let's see what can be done...

I take a basket and shears on any trip to the garden now, as many greens are ready for daily harvesting. Including Lambs Quarters.

So let's take it to the kitchen, and introduce it to some friendly ingredients.

Eggs, milk, cheeses...they are ready to be buddies. And when you see what a beautiful friendship results, I bet you'll be running, not walking, to your garden to apologize and then harvest some Lambs Quarters of your very own.

A quick moment on the chopping board, another few moments mingling in a bowl getting acquainted with the rest of the gang, and then into the buttered pie pan. Thirty minutes or so in the oven...

and wa-la! Lambs Quarter Quiche!!

Served with a salad of mixed greens (including some more Lambs Quarters, of course)which was sprinkled with snipped herbs, some edible flowers, toasted walnuts and Raspberry Walnut Oil vinegrette, this quick and easy quiche proved to be a tasty AND very nutritious dinner.

I love it when I can get "tasty" and "nutritious" to shake hands.

Cheesy Lambs Quarters Quiche

Combine in a bowl, whip with a fork:

2 cups lambs quarters leaves and small stems, chopped

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup flour

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup butter, melted

pinch of salt, and any other seasoning you like (I used some Mrs. Dash)

Pour into a buttered 9" pie pan. Bake at 350 degrees 30 min.

Remove from oven, sprinkle top with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese, return to oven for 5 minutes to melt cheeses. Cool on rack for 5 minutes before slicing into wedges.

May be served warm or cold.

I'll share some other "wild" edibles over the next few weeks, such as Plantain, a distinctive plant that is probably in your lawn keeping company with the dandelions. Which are also edible.

And incredibly nutritious.

I may end up on Monsanto's Black List. We just don't share the same idea of "weed and feed"...