OF MINER'S LETTUCE AND CHICKWEED

In January 2008, I couldn't help but notice the proliferation of two plants that I considered to be no more than weeds. One plant was isolated on the hillside behind the house under the scrub oak while the other overtook our flower garden and everywhere else.

This year, these plants resurfaced after the many rains we had. Not only in the yard, but in the gravel near the garage as well as in my mother-in-law's flower pots! EVERYWHERE! Looks like another busy year for yard work! Better get the weed whacker equipment ready for use!

Now, fast forward just a skosh.

In order for us to be self-sufficient and devoted to only eating oranic foods, I bought a four books on medicinal plants, herbs and wild plants on Amazon.com.

1. Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide by Thomas Elias and Peter Dykeman

2. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs: Of Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guide Series) by James A. Duke

3. The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants by Samuel Thayer

4. Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West by Gregory L. Tilford

We figured with all the backpacking and hiking we were going to do, why not study up on the wild plant life? Live off the land, eliminate packing extra food items, identify the good and the bad. Heck, we are already growing our own vegetables so why not?

When the books arrived on February 13, I wanted to peruse through all the pages. I wanted to see pictures (color no doubt) and read up on the descriptions, medicinal uses, and similarities between good and poisonous plants (must be careful in the wilderness).

I opened up the book by Gregory Tilford there was one of the plants on pages 98 and 99...

Claytonia perfoliata...


















Miner's lettuce


Now, the other plant in question grew more out of curiosity. My wife knew what the plant was but she couldn't remember the name. She said, "Something weed." Okay, that is a start.

She pulled one mystery plant out of the garden and handed it to me to look through the books. I looked at the petals on the plant and started perusing.

Voila! There it was on page 30 of the same book...stellaria media...
















chickweed.


The Miner's lettuce, just like spinach, is delicious when blanched with garlic and butter. Goes great with a tuna or turkey sandwich. Heck, goes great with a fat juicy (organic mind you) burger.

Miner's lettuce is great as a salad, too, when you mix in onions and cherry tomatoes or whatever our hearts desire.

Weeds no more...I can put those away for the time being.

Gotta harvest the seeds...