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Did you know that Fat Hen, a plant often disregarded as weed, was once heavily relied on for sustenance?
The evolution of diets and agriculture has meant that many plants have fallen out of favor, and Fat Hen, or Chenopodium album, is one such plant. It was particularly popular in Neolithic times, around 6000 BC. Fat Hen is one of the oldest plants utilized by humans for its nutritional profile - high in vitamins and minerals. Modern science verifies the nutrition value we've long extracted from these pesky plants. They were, and still can be, used as a supplement to staple grains. The seeds can be ground for flour, the leaves used like spinach, and the young stems cook nicely. Interestingly, you won't find it at your local supermarket - it's usually considered a weed or pest in many gardens. Despite its dismissal in our day, this unassuming green leaf was a food staple similar to how we rely on wheat or maize now.

Tags: #History #Food #FatHen #PaleoDiet #ForgottenFood