Zohos - Sow-thistle

Zohos or Sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus)

It is a well-known weed in every field and garden in Europe and N. America. Dioscourides mentions it as an esculent and Pliny records that the hospitable Hecate regaled Theseus before his battle with the bull of Marathon with a dish of sow-thistles.

Sonchus is derived from the Greek word for hollow, and bears allusion to the hollow nature of the succulent stems.

The Latin name of the species, oleraceus, refers to the use to which this weed has been put as an esculent vegetable.

Though in many parts of the world it is considered to be the best food for rabbits, in Greece it is highly estimated in boiled salads with extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice.

It was an excellent accompaniment to fried meat-balls we had for lunch a few days ago.

Zohos can be combined with lamb in casserole dishes (fricassé) or with other plants in pies (hortopita, kalitsounia).