The name chickweed reveals a lot about the plant. It’s a weed that’s oftentimes consumed by chickens!
But its use doesn’t end there. Chickweed is also known as chickenwort, craches, maruns, and winterweed, and it originates in Europe and is consumed by humans as both food (oftentimes in salads) and medicine.
It has a taste that the NYT describes as “kind of like a cross between corn and a snow pea shoot.” The best time to look for it at your local farmers’ market is in fall and late winter.
What Farmers’ Market in Southern California has it? Chickweed is currently available at the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmers’ Market.
If you can’t make it to that farmers’ market, it can also be foraged. Find out how here.
Recipe: Spring Greens with Crispy Potatoes, Herbs & Asparagus
Recipe: Chickweed Salad