Chenopodium nuttalliae facts for kids

Chenopodium nuttalliae is a type of plant that people can eat. It comes from Mexico. Its common name is huauzontle (pronounced wah-OWN-tleh). This name means "hairy amaranth" in the Nahuatl language, which was spoken by the Aztecs. You might also hear it called huauhzontle, huanzontle, or guausoncle.

Huauzontle is related to other well-known plants like quinoa, amaranth, and epazote. It's also related to common weeds like goosefoot and lambsquarters. The huauzontle plant has green stems with a red tint and many leaves. Its stems look a bit like tiny broccoli, but they are much thinner and have fewer leaves.

Just like amaranth, huauzontle can grow well even in cold, dry places and in poor soil. It's also very healthy and full of nutrients. This makes it a great food choice in areas where it's hard to grow other grains.

During the time of Emperor Moctezuma in ancient Mexico, huauzontle and amaranth were very important crops. They were the fourth most important foods, after maize (corn), beans, and chia. Many towns even gave huauzontle as a payment to the powerful Aztec empire.

What is Huauzontle?

Huauzontle is a plant that belongs to the goosefoot family. This means it's related to many other plants that are eaten around the world.

Where Does it Grow?

This plant is native to Mexico, meaning it naturally grows there. It is especially popular in the central parts of the country. You'll find it commonly eaten in states like Tlaxcala, Mexico, Guerrero, Morelos, and in the southern part of Mexico City.

Cooking with Huauzontle

Almost every part of the huauzontle plant can be eaten! This includes the leaves, branches, flowers, and even the seeds. People use huauzontle as both a herb to add flavor and as a vegetable in Mexican cuisine.

Popular Dishes

One of the most famous ways to eat huauzontle is in pancakes. These pancakes are often stuffed with cheese and covered in a tasty tomato sauce. Another popular dish involves dipping huauzontle in an egg batter and deep-frying it. Sometimes, a stick of salty Mexican cheese is added too.

Huauzontle can also be used to flavor salads. It's added to dishes like ahuautles (water insect eggs) in pasilla sauce, and even with beef fillets. When the seeds are fully grown, they can be ground into flour. This flour can then be used to make tortillas.

Is it Safe to Eat?

Like quinoa, which is another plant in the Chenopodium family, huauzontle contains something called saponins. Saponins are natural compounds. While large amounts of saponins can be harmful, huauzontle has very small amounts. This means it's perfectly safe to eat. Also, our bodies don't absorb saponins easily, and cooking the plant makes them even less active. So, you can enjoy huauzontle without worry!

See also

In Spanish: Huazontle para niños