Chenopodium ambrosioides

Epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides) is an aromatic perennial herb with an assertive, somewhat bitter taste. It grows wild in many parts of the United States—even Central Park in New York City—and has various English names, of which my favorite is “stinkweed.” I think epazote is perhaps the characteristic Mexican herb. It is especially used in cooking huitlacoche, squash blossoms, beans, and various stews and soups. It can be bought in specialty food markets, sometimes at farmers’ markets in big cities with Hispanic populations, and by mail-order.