Garden Sorrel
Long-lived perennial that makes clumps of succulent green leaves that look like spinach but taste like spinach dressed with lemon. Appears very early in spring,before anything else is up. The leaves cook down into a lovely sauce that is classic with fish. fresh leaves are good shredded into salad, or soups, where they add a fresh lemony zing. Hardy to zone 4, Drought-tolerant, taprooted plants are trouble-free and probably the easiest vegetable to grow that I know of.
I have listed this in the past as French Sorrel. However, the "French" name is often applied to both this sorrel, Rumex acetosa, and the Buckler-Leaved Sorrel, Rumex scutatus. To make things more confusing, the Dave's garden website lists Rumex scutatus as the desirable "French" type, while showing a picture of Rumex acetosa, similar to the photo here. Regardless of name, this variety is very juicy, the leaves are large, like spinach in shape and texture, and it is a long-lived, easy-to-grow perennial that emerges very early in spring. I recommend it.