Objective:

Characterize the processes of collection, commercialization and consumption of herbaceous quelites, mainly native, in the city of Toluca, Mexico.

Methodology:

The work was carried out in four markets of the aforementioned city. The ethnographic method was used; semi-structured interview guides were applied to 20 collectors, 73 merchants and 69 quelite consumers.

Results:

In the city of Toluca and its surroundings, quelites continue to be collected, marketed and consumed, but in low quantities; 12 species were identified, and the ones that are mainly consumed are the following: quintoniles (Amaranthus hybridus), purslane (Portulaca oleracea), chivatitos (Calandrinia micrantha), ashes (Chenopodium berlandieri) and huauzontles (Chenopodium berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae). They are prepared at least 12 ways.

Limitations:

The research was restricted to the markets of the city of Toluca during one time of the year.

Conclusions:

The quelites that are sold in the traditional markets in the city of Toluca are collected in the surrounding rural areas or are purchased in the large distribution centers; there has been a reduction in their consumption in the last five or eight years.