Subfamily Chenopodioideae Scientific name Chenopodium nuttalliae Rank Species | ||
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Similar Pitseed Goosefoot, Romeritos, Yerba Porosa, Tlacoyo, Piper auritum | ||
Chenopodium nuttalliae top 6 facts
Chenopodium nuttalliae, huauzontle, is a Mexican vegetable related to the common American weed goosefoot. It resembles broccoli, although the stems are much thinner, and support fewer of the leaves.
As with other members of the goosefoot family, huauzontle is edible; it is typically prepared in a manner similar to spinach or broccoli. Alternatively, huauzontles can be encased in an egg batter and deep-fried with a stick of salty Mexican cheese.
The plant Chenopodium nuttalliae is closely related to Chenopodium quinoa from the Andes (known as quinoa), but the seeds do not contain saponins as quinoa seed does. With huauzontle, the immature seed head or inflorescence is eaten, and the mature seeds are harvested for food in parts of Mexico and ground into flour to make tortillas. Prior to the development of maize]] by Native Americans in Central and North America, this plant was one of the major "grain" crops.
