Rumex acetosa

The name of this plant in Portuguese says everything about its main feature: it is deliciously acidic (azedinha). It has long, flat, broad leaves and adapted well to the mild climate of regions such as Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul. According to a manual released in 2013 by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, this is an non- conventional leaf vegetable, with restricted distribution, but very present in the diet of people living around the farming areas. The leaves give a refreshing touch to many recipes – either chopped raw, in salads and juices, or sautéed, in soups and sauces, or as side for meat, fish, and poultry dishes.