CHICASQUIL (TREE SPINACH) CASSEROLE WITH NOODLES (OR CHAYA)

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Chicasquil (Tree Spinach) Casserole With Noodles (Or Chaya) image

This is from a garden forum about the Chicasquil (Cnidoscolus acontifolius) which is a form of tree spinach. It is an evergreen vegetable that grows like a bush. I learned of this plant recently from Guachipelin, Chef #2245414. I went to one of my favorite nurseries for something else and while the fellow was driving me around, he pointed this out as Tree Spinach. It wasn't until I got home that I realized it was on my want list for the yard. I am very lucky as this one does NOT have the stinging hairs that some have.

Provided by Ambervim

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

30 large leaves greens, chopped and boiled (Chicasquil, Chaya or other green leaf)
1 1/2 cups egg noodles boiled in the leaf water
1 lb ground meat, browned but not drained
1 large onion, chopped
12 ounces tomatoes, diced (canned tomato and chilies ok)
2 ounces green chilies, diced
4 ounces tomato sauce
garlic, minced to taste
salt

Steps:

  • Sautee onions and garlic, then add and brown meat. Set on warmer. Cut Chicasquil leaves into about 1" pieces or chop, discarding the stems and heavy veins, then boil *15* minutes, stirring frequently. Drain and reserve water.
  • Cook noodles in Chaya water and drain. Add tomato, chilies and Chaya leaves to onion/meat mixture - heat and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in egg noodles and simmer 3 minutes more. Serves 4.
  • NOTE: Please observe 15 minute boiling time. This allows all the Hydrocyanic Acid to be driven off as steam. A 1 minute cooking time, seen elsewhere in this blog, is insufficient to accomplish this - undercooked Chicasquil or Chaya may cause nausea and vomiting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 43, Fat 0.3, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 159.2, Carbohydrate 9.7, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 5.8, Protein 1.8

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