A massive 2018 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a poor diet—defined as one relatively high in calories but lacking adequate nutrients—was the leading risk factor for premature death in the United States.
Amaranth greens, a/k/a pigweed, are some of the most nutritious leafy greens you can eat. Amaranth leaves are eaten all over the world, from India to Southeast Asia, Greece to Mexico. Greeks prepare them simply... Steamed, drizzle with some good olive oil and lemon. Paired with a whole local rock cod and a nice glass of wine/ouzo. A summer meal that most find hard to beat. Before we get too far, this article is not about amaranth grain, commonly known as quinoa. Those are amaranth seeds, the topic of another post. Amaranth is a great source of protein, fiber, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. It helps keep your digestive system regulated, build your strength, and reduce the risk of fracture or broken bones.
In Greece, where vlita is an important horta, their word for wild greens, you’ll find amaranth leaves in pies, stews and warm salads. In India, amaranth falls under the saag moniker, a common meal of cooked greens. Saag paneer is the classic dish. The famous callaloo of the Caribbean can be made with amaranth, too, although several greens can be used for that dish.Because many cultures like to grow and eat amaranth leaves, you can buy seeds of various varieties easily. Some favorites include red and white leaf amaranth from True Leaf Market., and Native Seed Search in Arizona has an entire selection of amaranth seeds for sale.Amaranth is super drought tolerant, and sends a taproot to China. The plants are best spaced about a foot apart. They’ll grow closer, but the leaves won’t be as lush.
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