Good King Henry

Blitum bonus-henricus

leaf

The wild mountain spinach: leaves cooked like spinach, young shoots like asparagus.

Origin

Mountains of Europe

Where to find it

In the Italian Alps, from Trentino to Lombardy, it is still sold at spring markets as “buon enrico” or “spinacio di montagna”, for risottos and green gnocchi.

Season (United States)

April to June

Preparation

Cooked with the water discarded rather than raw: it is rich in oxalates and saponins. Its oxalates leach into water: boiling it and throwing the water out takes a good share with it.

Molecules

Beta-carotene (vitamin A) · Lutein and zeaxanthin · Vegetable nitrates · ChlorophyllWhat slows things down Oxalates

Did you know?

It was found near every high-altitude sheepfold, in soil enriched by the flocks.