Sorrel

Rumex spp.

leaf

Green, tangy leaves of a perennial meadow plant of the rhubarb family; in soups, sauces, or raw in small amounts. They provide beta-carotene, lutein, folate and vitamin K1 — and a lot of oxalates.

Origin

Meadows of Europe and Asia

Season (United States)

April to October

Preparation

Even richer in oxalates than spinach: in small amounts, and not every day if you are sensitive to them. It grows at ground level and catches the splashes of watering: washing it leaf by leaf, in plenty of water, beats a quick rinse of the whole bunch. 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 · Folates (B9) · Vitamin K1 · ChlorophyllWhat slows things down Oxalates

Did you know?

Its sourness lifts the flavour of fish and, it is said, even softens their fine bones.