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Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Grower
Amaranth plants can reach heights of over 2 meters tall with fleshy oval shaped leaves that are sometimes pointed at the tips. Some varieties have a deep maroon center of the leaf with streaks of red, purple and green. The Red variety produces feathery purple, magenta or red flowers from the central stalk which is packed with edible seeds. Though the flower buds are edible, once they mature and become bushy they are not palatable and should be avoided. The young leaves are slightly astringent when raw, but are nutty and mild, like spinach. Larger, more mature leaves are best for stewing or braising, similarly to a chard or beet green.
Red Amaranth leaves may be found year-round with peak season in the spring and summer.
Amaranth is the commonly used name for any one of the 60 different species found in the Amaranthaceae family. The name comes from the Greek amarantos, “one that does not wither," or “the never-fading”, alluding to the brilliant bushy flowers that retain color long after harvest. Often regarded as a common weed, one green variety is named “pigweed”, the plants are commercially cultivated for their edible seeds, leafy greens and decorative blooms. The plants are consumed as a green vegetable primarily in Asian cultures, where they are known as callaloo in the West Indies, chawli leaves in India, and cow pea leaves in Africa. Red Amaranth leaves are more often used for their ornamental purposes or even to make red dye, such as the “Love Lies Bleeding” varietal.
Amaranth leaves are nutritionally similar to beets, Swiss chard and spinach, but are genetically closer to their wild ancestors and offer a far superior source of carotene, iron, calcium, protein, vitamin C and trace elements.
Amaranth greens may be eaten raw or cooked. The younger leaves are mild and tender while the more mature plants are slightly fibrous and develop a bitter flavor. Select Amaranth leaves that have small thin stems and lack any flower buds. Although edible, the blossoms usually indicate that the leaves are past their prime for eating. Add the greens to salads and soups or briefly sauté with oil similarly to spinach. Complimentary flavors include bacon, ham, poultry, anchovies, garlic, onion, sesame seeds, soy sauce, lemon, mushrooms, oregano, dill, cumin, goat cheese, parmesan, ricotta, mustard, walnuts and curries.
As a grain, Amaranth has a long and colorful history throughout Mexico and South America. It was a major food source for the Ancient Aztecs and was also used in their ceremonial religious practices. The grains were combined with honey and formed into the likeness of a deity, worshiped and then eaten in a communal feast. When the Spanish conquistadors attempted to convert the native populations to Christianity in the sixteenth century, they forbade such “heathen” festivals surrounding Amaranth and punished those in possession of it.
Amaranth is native to the Americas, specifically Peru where it was probably domesticated somewhere between 6,000 and 8,000 years ago. It has since spread worldwide to climates ranging from temperate to tropical. Amaranth greens are more readily eaten as a vegetable, as opposed to being cultivated as a grain, in Southeast Asia, Africa and India. It can grow in most soil types and once established can even thrive in drought stricken countries such as in sub-Sahara Africa.
Recipes that include Red Amaranth. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
People have shared Red Amaranth using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| Coleman Family Farms | Homepage |
Description/Taste
Amaranth plants can reach heights of over 2 meters tall with fleshy oval shaped leaves that are sometimes pointed at the tips. Some varieties have a deep maroon center of the leaf with streaks of red, purple and green. The Red variety produces feathery purple, magenta or red flowers from the central stalk which is packed with edible seeds. Though the flower buds are edible, once they mature and become bushy they are not palatable and should be avoided. The young leaves are slightly astringent when raw, but are nutty and mild, like spinach. Larger, more mature leaves are best for stewing or braising, similarly to a chard or beet green.
Seasons/Availability
Red Amaranth leaves may be found year-round with peak season in the spring and summer.
Current Facts
Amaranth is the commonly used name for any one of the 60 different species found in the Amaranthaceae family. The name comes from the Greek amarantos, “one that does not wither," or “the never-fading”, alluding to the brilliant bushy flowers that retain color long after harvest. Often regarded as a common weed, one green variety is named “pigweed”, the plants are commercially cultivated for their edible seeds, leafy greens and decorative blooms. The plants are consumed as a green vegetable primarily in Asian cultures, where they are known as callaloo in the West Indies, chawli leaves in India, and cow pea leaves in Africa. Red Amaranth leaves are more often used for their ornamental purposes or even to make red dye, such as the “Love Lies Bleeding” varietal.
Nutritional Value
Amaranth leaves are nutritionally similar to beets, Swiss chard and spinach, but are genetically closer to their wild ancestors and offer a far superior source of carotene, iron, calcium, protein, vitamin C and trace elements.
Applications
Amaranth greens may be eaten raw or cooked. The younger leaves are mild and tender while the more mature plants are slightly fibrous and develop a bitter flavor. Select Amaranth leaves that have small thin stems and lack any flower buds. Although edible, the blossoms usually indicate that the leaves are past their prime for eating. Add the greens to salads and soups or briefly sauté with oil similarly to spinach. Complimentary flavors include bacon, ham, poultry, anchovies, garlic, onion, sesame seeds, soy sauce, lemon, mushrooms, oregano, dill, cumin, goat cheese, parmesan, ricotta, mustard, walnuts and curries.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
As a grain, Amaranth has a long and colorful history throughout Mexico and South America. It was a major food source for the Ancient Aztecs and was also used in their ceremonial religious practices. The grains were combined with honey and formed into the likeness of a deity, worshiped and then eaten in a communal feast. When the Spanish conquistadors attempted to convert the native populations to Christianity in the sixteenth century, they forbade such “heathen” festivals surrounding Amaranth and punished those in possession of it.
Geography/History
Amaranth is native to the Americas, specifically Peru where it was probably domesticated somewhere between 6,000 and 8,000 years ago. It has since spread worldwide to climates ranging from temperate to tropical. Amaranth greens are more readily eaten as a vegetable, as opposed to being cultivated as a grain, in Southeast Asia, Africa and India. It can grow in most soil types and once established can even thrive in drought stricken countries such as in sub-Sahara Africa.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Amaranth. One
is
easiest, three is harder.| Kiran Tarun |
|
Stir-fry Amaranth Greens with Roasted Garlic |
| Happy & Harried |
|
Indian Cottage Cheese with Greens Curry |
Recently Shared
People have shared Red Amaranth using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Tấn Phát
Tan Phat Oriental Market
Near Phoenix, Arizona, United States1702 W Camelback Road #5 Phoenix AZ 85015 602-242-6119 About 185 days ago, 1/06/20 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Coleman Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesCarpenteria, CA 1-805-431-7324 About 211 days ago, 12/11/19 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
John Her Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno, CA 559-313-6676 About 274 days ago, 10/09/19 Sharer's comments : Cooler weather equals some cool amaranth greens 
Bharat Bazaar
Near Union City, California, United StatesAbout 341 days ago, 8/03/19 
99 Ranch Market
Ranch 99 Darmawangsa Square
Near Pulo, Jakarta, Indonesia0-217-278-6480 About 356 days ago, 7/20/19 Sharer's comments : Red Amaranth leaves are a popular ingredient in Asia.. 
Tekka Centre 竹脚中心
Tekka Wet Market
Near Singapore, Singapore665 Buffalo Rd. L1 Tekka Center Singapore 210666 About 362 days ago, 7/13/19 Sharer's comments : Red Amaranth is a common leave vegetable in Asia Athens Market Taverna Near San Diego, California, United States About 639 days ago, 10/09/18 Sharer's comments : Red Amaranth spotted at Athens Market Taverna. |
