Until last week's farmers' market, I only thought of amaranth as a grain, one similar to something like couscous or bulgur. Little did I know you could eat amaranth greens! I bought them from the farmer who sells his produce, grown from the Bolton Flats Hmong Farm, a New Entry Sustainable Farming Project supported by Tufts University. New Entry is actually an awesome and amazing program. Check it out.
Amaranth greens, also known as Chinese spinach are rightfully named. This leafy green vegetable cooks up like spinach, but the flavor, I would say, is much better. It imparts an earthy, somewhat spicy flavor when cooked or stir-fried up like you would spinach. One cup of cooked provides 75% of your daily need for vitamin A, 90% vitamin C, 20% iron, and 25% calcium.
We just cleaned, chopped, and tossed with some onion, pepper, and olive oil for about 5-7 minutes on medium heat.
In other news, this weekend I finally got a chance to hike Mount Wachusett with some friends.
Question(s) of the Day: What'd you do this past weekend? Have you seen amaranth greens before at your local market?
I have never seen amaranth greens - thanks for the informative post!
ReplyDeleteI bought amaranth greens at the JP Farmers Market in the Bank of Boston Farmers Market this summer. They were beautiful - the leaves reminded me of coleus. I was excited and asked the farmer about them, but he couldn't speak English. I took them home, and washed, chopped and sauteed them, pretty much as you described, but they were horribly gummy. I poured a little Ouzo into the pan (which I happened to have around from a recipe I'd made recently) and it cut the gummyness enough so that they were edible. It doesn't sound like you had this problem - has anyone else?
ReplyDeleteMyrna Greenfield
The PescoVegetarian Times
Oooh I haven't seen amaranth greens but I'll definitely be keeping my eye out now! I've been wanting to hike Mt. Wachusett for a while now... Looks like fun :)
ReplyDeleteSues
I've never seen them either but I will have to search now. When you say "spicy" are they spicy like watercress? or like arugula?
ReplyDeleteLast weekend I spent time with a good friend from home who was just diagnosed with breast cancer. This weekend (well, today) is Dennis' birthday so we're going to be doing a lot of chillin and eating :)
Hey Jessica!! Amaranth greens are tasty! I love them..they are widely available in India and are used on a day to day basis. If you like how they taste, pair them with red lentils (called Toor dal in Indian stores). They taste perfect! Also cumin is a spice that goes very well with this green.
ReplyDeleteNo, but will be looking out for it!
ReplyDelete