Groundweed, dandelion and stinging nettle are just a few examples of wild herbs that can drive gardeners to despair due to their eagerness to grow. At the same time, however, they are very tasty, often richer in vitamins than vegetables on the market and can confidently be counted among the “superfoods” because of their health-promoting effect.

Everything about the dandelion is edible

By no means only rabbit food: the dandelion

The plant with the characteristically shaped leaves and bright yellow flower heads is probably the most well-known weed. The young leaves in particular make a delicious salad, but the flowers and roots are also edible. If you steam the leaves, you get a vegetable similar to spinach. The flowers are an attractive and tasty addition to salads, and you can put the roots on bread like radishes.

--Weeds with healing effects: the stinging nettle

It has long been known in gardening circles that this weed produces a very effective plant manure. But you should definitely use nettles in the kitchen too:

  • Stinging nettles make a delicious “spinach” when steamed.
  • The chopped leaves are suitable as a spicy filling for pasta and ravioli.
  • The tea is said to have a stimulating effect. It is also said to help with urinary tract infections.

Probably the tastiest weed is wild garlic

In the meantime, you can get wild garlic in small bundles in greengrocers. So you can look forward to this plant growing in your garden. The leaves have a distinct garlic aroma, which is fresher than that of the bulbs. Not only can wild garlic be used to prepare delicious pesto, it also tastes great chopped on bread.

Meadowfoam herb is a great cress substitute

This weed, which is related to the arugula, has lilac flowers in spring. The taste of the small leaves and flowers is therefore very similar to this. Meadow smock can be used as a tasty addition to salads or simply sprinkled on buttered bread.

Giersch - the spinach of the Middle Ages

Giersch is an old vegetable and medicinal plant that used to be cultivated on a large scale. The entire plant is edible and can be harvested throughout the growing season. You can mix the rampant weed with spinach and prepare it in the same way. Goutweed tastes great in scrambled eggs or as an addition to a hearty potato soup.

Which weeds are still edible?

You should definitely try:

  • Gundermann: Goes well with herb butter and in salads.
  • Chickweed: The leaves, which taste like peas, go well with soups and salads.
  • Sorrel: Very aromatic salad addition. Enhances the taste of stews and soups.
  • Buttonwort: Can be steamed like spinach and makes an interesting-tasting pesto.

Many other herbs such as daisies are also edible. They provide variety in the kitchen and act like bright splashes of color in salads.

tips

In general, you should only eat wild herbs that you really know. For example, wild garlic is often confused with lily of the valley, which is poisonous. If in doubt, get help from a professional to identify the weed.

Category:

Herbs