esplorare/exploring

Since I am no longer working nights, I am able to cook for myself on a more steady basis.  Love that! I am also able to frequent the Farmer’s Market more often.  The other day, I stopped short, while roaming the produce aisles, when I saw green bunch of goodness on my way to grabbing the cilantro.

I had never seen/heard of Quelites, but that only made me want to try them more. So, I grabbed a bunch, along with the original list item of cilantro, and went home to Google. After scrolling through a number of articles, I have learned that Quelites, also referred to as Lamb Quarters,  amaranth greens, or edible wild weeds, are popular among Native Americans and of people of Mexican descent in the Southwest area of the United States. (pronounced kay-lee-tay).  Grown in the wild as well as cultivated, stalks and leaves can be utilized like most other greens in their family.  According to Deborah Madison of Culinate, Quelites are members of the genus Chenopodiaceae, the same family as spinach, quinoa, chia seeds. One characteristic this leafy group shares is the shape of the leaf, which resembles a goose’s foot (Cheno, goose; podia, foot.)

Whether raw in salads or sautéed, steamed, or chopped, placed in a soup, stew or casserole, the hearty leaves behave a lot like spinach or kale in the sense of how to cook them. As far as seasoning pairings?  Quelites are complements with the likes of garlic, cumin and allspice.

I decided to pair the greens, after washing them very well, with beans. Really simple, yet really tasty. A couple of notes about what I did/used:  As you see in the recipe, I used onion flakes, although the original plan was to include shallots. I used the last few shallots in a different dinner dish, and misplaced the white onion I had – (I wither used it or threw it out), which left me with flakes and powder. I went with the flakes.  I also wanted heat, but (a) don’t keep jalapeños on hand and (b) my red pepper flakes apparently grew legs, so I went with chili powder. As far as protein? Sure!  The pinto beans provide this dish with a good amount of protein, but I added some roasted chicken as well.

How have you used Quelites?

I thought these would be a great green to send over to Haalo for this week’s WHB.  You can participate, too!  Click here for the rules. and to see who’s hosting each week by clicking here.