Lamb's Quarters is a chalky green plain-looking plant that many people mistake for a weed. Common in disturbed ground, Lamb’s Quarters, Chenopodium album, are often the most valuable green in the garden. Unlike lettuce, Lamb’s Quarters lasts most of the summer and doesn’t bolt or turn bitter as lettuce will.

It can grow to a height of three to five five feet or more. Every time you pick it, you encourage tender leaves to grow. But a plant that has been ignored until well into the summer will still provide greens that can be lightly steamed or boiled or blanched and frozen for later use.

How do you eat this plant?

Lamb's quarters is also known as goosefoot. It likes to grow in disturbed ground, and your garden is a perfect place to find it.

Linda Diane Feldt | Contributor

Early in the year, right now, the leaves and stems are tender and can be added to salads as is. Later, you’ll want to strip off the individual leaves to use and discard the stems, which get tougher as the season progresses. Lamb’s Quarter leaves can fully replace lettuce as the salad green, or can be mixed with other greens you enjoy.

At the end of the season, most of the leaves will be tough and are best eaten lightly cooked.

It's a bit cliche to suggest using it like spinach, but indeed it can be. Use it freely in soups, as a pot green, as a cooked side green with a bit of vinegar and oil, or hidden away in casseroles. It's also good in a stir fry, and in other places where greens can add subtle flavor and nutrition.

Like most greens, Lamb’s Quarter is nutritionally dense and is a great source of calcium. Like all dark green leafy vegetables, it supplies antioxidants and carotenoids that help prevent cancer and heart disease, as well as supporting the endocrine system.

Gaining in popularity, you may find Lamb’s Quarters at a farmer market or health food store. If you have a garden, chances are it is already there just waiting for you to find it and enjoy.

Linda Diane Feldt is a local Holistic Health Practitioner, teacher, and writer. You can follow her on twitter, visit her website, or contact her directly ldfeldt(at)holisticwisdom.org. To learn more, be sure to check out her monthly free classes on “herbal wisdom” sponsored by The People’s Food Co-op, usually the fourth Thursday of each month. The next weed walk is Thursday, June 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Contact Linda Diane for details.