HOW TO COOK LAMBSQUARTERS: EASY (2024)

Lambsquarters has a huge background in the lives of southern Americans. Whenever I mention plants to Southerners, somebody always has an interesting story about Lambsquarters. Enjoy this simple and elegant Simple Lambs Quarters Recipe.

Lambsquarters was the bed for my Amazing Bluegill Fried in Butter to lay on. Lambsquarters and Bluegill are seemingly always available to the forager.

Shout out to my second post ever! Fried Lambsquarters is my favorite Lambsquarters recipe to speak of.

Table of Contents

INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO COOK LAMBSQUARTERS

• Lambsquarter greens
• Butter
• Salt and pepper (optional)
• Other seasonings I like to use are garlic powder, paprika, and seasoning salt!
• Other flavor enhancers I like to use are balsamic vinegar, red or white wine vinegar, white wine, and green onion!

Equipment Needed

• Cast Iron Pan or the pan you have.
• Spatula
• Salad Spinner (optional)

HOW TO MAKE LAMBSQUARTERS IN BUTTER

Now mind you, these leaves I have here are from the top of a lambsquarters plant. So, they are going to be a bit more narrow than the basal leaves.

Here is a good shot of the basal leaves when the plant is nice and young.
the white powder on top of the new growth is mineral salt from deep within the ground!
Notice the base of the leaf flares out. The leaf has wider bases.

• Start by picking more leaves than you think you will need. They shrink when you cook them!
  
• Wash them under cold water in a colander.
  
• Let them drip dry briefly while you move to the next step.

• Melt butter on medium heat. Be careful not to burn it!

• Sautée the Lambsquarters until they have shrunken down and are tender.
  
• At this time you may add salt and pepper or any other seasonings you wish to use.

• Making way for my fresh blue gill. You can cook thin pieces of fish or meat now as well. Anything that will cook fast.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF LAMBSQUARTERS

• Surprisingly, Lambsquarter greens contain fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, 19 vitamins and minerals, 18 amino acids, and a solid amount of fiber.
• 100 grams or about 1/4 cup of greens gives you your daily value of vitamin C, half of your daily value of vitamin A, and a surprising 4.2 grams of protein!
  
• For more information on the nutrient content of lambsquarters visit USDA Food Date Central.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO HARVEST LAMBSQUARTER GREENS?

• Lambsquarter is similar to many plants in that the younger the leaves the better they taste. The older they get, the more tough and bitter they get.
  
• However, when it comes to Lambsquarters, the greens are quite fine to eat at any stage of the plants growth. I had mentioned I picked them from the top of the plant when it was flowering and they still taste great!
  
• The seeds of the Lambsquarter plant have been used as a grain for centuries if not longer and can be popped like popcorn. That is the subject of a later post.

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY LIKE

• HARVESTING MARIGOLD SEEDS
  
• HOMEMADE WILD BLACKBERRY JELLY
  
• HOW TO IDENTIFY CHANTERELLE MUSHROOMS
  
• GRASSHOPPER RECIPE

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