Sorrel

Garden or Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and Round or French Sorrel (Rumex scutatus); also Sour Grass

Americans seem to have an on-again off-again affair with the sharply acid green leaves to which the French have been devoted as long as there has been France. Most likely the fickleness is due to the fact sorrel is sour. A relative of rhubarb, its name derives from the Old French surele, through the Germanic sur, meaning sour. Happily, for the moment fashion dictates “on” again —probably because sophisticated diners have sampled deliciously tart sorrel in Europe, or in American restaurants in which chefs have been inspired by continental cuisine.