Mchunga

Launaea cornuta

leaf

Bitter leaves of a wild sowthistle, boiled then fried with onion and tomato, an indigenous vegetable of the Kenyan coast.

Origin

East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania)

Where to find it

It is sold in bunches at the markets of Mombasa and the Swahili coast.

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The first, bitter cooking water is thrown away; the drained leaves then go into the pan for a few minutes with onion and tomato.

Molecules

Beta-carotene (vitamin A) · Lutein and zeaxanthin · Vegetable nitrates · Chlorophyll

Did you know?

It grows spontaneously in fields, where it is gathered as much as grown.