Food Foraging. Super Food Greens.

Food foraging.

3 super food greens 

 

Here in the Jungle of Costa Rica where I live with my 10yr old son we often go out amoungst the plants and collect what we eat. Barefooted and often in the rain we collect greens and roots to eat.

Below are 3 super food greens that are growing around our wooden house.

The Mayan Chaya

 

Chaya, commonly known as “tree spinach”, it could be one of the most important edible-leaved plants in the tropics. Requiring little maintenance it is an excellent source of vitamins, fiber, proteins and enzymes. The levels of Chaya leaf nutrients are two to threefold greater than most edible leafy green vegetables. Chaya is significantly more nutritious than spinach, amaranth and Chinese cabbage:

Here in Costa Rica most locals only know it as an ornamental or living fence-line calling it “chicasquil” which is kind of unfortunate as it is and incredible nutritious food left un touched. Except by us. We love the stuff.

But be aware... Do Not Eat It Raw !! toxic as hell really when not cooked. Chaya leaves and shoots contain toxic hydrocyanic glycosides. So you need to cook it for at least five minutes to rid the stems and leaves of the poisonous cyanide components, before adding it to your stir fry. We also use the leaves to roll up rice and other grains a lot like sushi. Tico style.

Next we have Katuk.

 

Also a dangerous leaf if eaten raw too long. As you can see it IS dangerous out here in the Jungle !!
Best to boil first if eating over many months to eliminate anti-protozoa properties.
We have been using it in our smoothies..woops. But up until now we have not noticed any of the side effects such as difficulty in sleeping or lung disorders such as bronchiolitis.



Aside of the danger eating it raw Katuk contains 59 cal energy, 6.4 g protein, 1.0 g fat, 9.9 g carbohydrate, 1.5 g fiber, 1.7 g ash, 233 mg calcium, 98 mg phosphorus , 3.5 mg iron, 10020 mcg carotene, 164 mg vitamin A, B, and C, and 81 g of water. WOAH !! All of this is in 100g of the leaves. Majorely katuk helps feeding mothers to bring in and increase their breast milk.
Other benefits of the leaf used externally include in the aid of ulcers and sores, Constipation or other difficult bowel issues and some skin diseases.

And now for the humble Spinach.

 

Introducing Chenopodium album also known as lambs quarters, or pigweed.
A very common garden weeds, Wild Spinach is edible and delicious. With a deeper & more robust flavor than spinach without that squeaky teeth feeling.
Rich in magnesium and potassium, more fiber, beta carotene (pro-vitamin A), vitamin C, riboflavin, calcium, zinc, copper and manganese than domestic spinach.

Why Food Forage??

It is free, you get to gather nutrient dense food that is tasty, food miles are non existence enabling your ego and feel good neurons to ping, you get to eat healthy organic food for free and you get to meet neighbours. 
Here in the jungle they would include monkeys, toucans, snakes and butterflies.


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