Trinidad Shadow Benny

1. Shadow Benny (Culantro)

   Shadow Benny is a wild Caribbean Herb known for it’s culinary and medicinal qualities.Other Names: Culantro, Chadon, Shadon, Shado Beni, Mexican Coriander, Sawtooth Coriander, Fitweed, Spiritweed, Culantro. Available year-round.
   

   Description
   Culantro is a pungent herb with long, glossy green, serrated leaves. The plant grows like lettuce, the thin leaves growing in a rosette pattern around a small central stem. The leaves grow up to almost one foot in height and up to two inches wide; the small, serrated teeth developing harmless yellow spines. The aroma of Culantro is said to have a bit of an odd smell that can be likened to that of a squashed stink bug. The smell aside, it has a flavor similar to that of cilantro, only more intense. When mature, the plant develops a thick flower stem that grows tall above the plant. The stems are multi-branched with spiky, green flowers and a white center. The flavor of Culantro is diminished after it flowers; so leaves are typically harvested before the plant develops its flower stems.

   Seasons/Availability
   Culantro is available year-round.

   Nutritional Value
   Culantro is a vitamin and mineral rich herb that has been used for hundreds of years for both its nutritional value and medicinal qualities. Culantro contains vitamins A, B-complex and C, as well as calcium, carotene, iron and riboflavin. Link.