Leafy Weeds you can Eat-Lamb's Quarters
Lamb's Quarters
Another common, well-known weed is lamb's quarters. The plant has diamond or triangular leaves that are wavy-edged and have a whitish sparkly look on the bottom side. It starts out as a busy 6 to 8 inch high plant and then starts to grow taller, with fewer and smaller leaves.
You'll often find it in gardens or other areas where the soil has been disturbed
When the plant is young and tender, it makes an excellent addition to spring salads
Like spinach and lettuce, as you cut off the first growth, the plant simply grows again, giving you multiple harvests.
Next to the garden had once been a sand dune with cow manure mixed in from the dust in the barn lot
Spring rains brought a huge flush of lamb's quarters,
One warning though; Lamb's quarters ( and several other greens) contains oxalic acid, which can be toxic to people consuming large amounts, usually with extended use as well. This has happened in the past, in times of famine, when people ate lamb's quarters as a sole diet.
Cooking breaks down the oxalic acid, but one should not over do meals of this green
Eating a meal containing lamb's quarters once or twice a week is just fine
to cook lamb's quarters, simply rinse the tender leafy parts of the plant
Do not use the coarse stems, as they are tough
Then steam or boil until tender, about 10 minutes
Drain and eat.