Good King Henry ✦

Chénopode bon-Henri

What it is

The German name Guter Heinrich, good Henry, was coined to separate it from Böser Heinrich, bad Henry — the poisonous dog's mercury it can be mistaken for in a hedge. No king is involved: both Henrys are house spirits.

In the kitchen

Take the shoots at pencil thickness and peel the lower third like sprue asparagus; unpeeled, the skin stays stringy. The leaves want a change of water — blanch, drain, then cook, or the oxalic bite carries through the dish.

Goes with

Butter Egg Cream Nutmeg Parmesan Lemon Garlic Ricotta

In season alongside

Broccoli Dandelion greens Fiddlehead fern Huauzontle Black bryony shoots Swiss chard

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