Los Quelites de la Sierra Norte de Puebla, México: Inventario y formas de preparación

Abstract

The Sierra Norte de Puebla, is a region with cultural and environmental diversity where traditional agriculture is practiced. The use of plants is vast, with more than 600 species of useful plants. The 'quelites' (edible greens), constitute between 18%-38% of edible plants and there are in total 80 species, 15 of which are exotic. The quelites can be consumed row, although they are commonly consumed after being cooked in different manners; plants parts used as quelites are young leaves and stems, sprouts, petioles, seedlings or complete plants without roots. The 'quelites' are produced in different agroecosystems under a wide spectrum of ways of management, from gathering to cultivation. The botanical families with more species used as 'quelites' are Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Piperaceae, Amaranthaceae and Begoniaceae. Sorne species are sold in local markets and another are for autosupply.