Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Hector on June 14, 2009, 15:47:51

Title: Leaf Amaranthus
Post by: Hector on June 14, 2009, 15:47:51
Ihave been reading threads on this but can't see if it only does well in full sun...I have an area that gets sun 5-6 hours a daywould it be ok? What final spread do you get?
Title: Re: Leaf Amaranthus
Post by: Hector on July 05, 2011, 21:57:09
...and does it taste nice!!!!
Title: Re: Leaf Amaranthus
Post by: saddad on July 05, 2011, 22:13:18
Dunno... but I have a packet to try...  :)
Title: Re: Leaf Amaranthus
Post by: Hector on July 05, 2011, 22:16:12
snap!!!! :)
Title: Re: Leaf Amaranthus
Post by: djbrenton on July 06, 2011, 06:48:40
Some varieties are called callaloo in the Caribean. Whilst they like as much sun as they can get, if you sow it in a tray then plant out as early as possible after the last frost you should still get a decent result. They are heavy feeders and will respond well to rich ground despite growing by the wayside in Jamaica. Remove the seedhead and crop till the first frost.
Title: Re: Leaf Amaranthus
Post by: Hector on July 06, 2011, 07:30:07
Thanks Djbrenton. I will propagate some now. I was reading one of your other posts re cooking this/freezing it and sounds ideal for us as we currently use loads of frozen spinach. Any recipes greatly appreciated :)

Saddad, are you planting too?
Title: Re: Leaf Amaranthus
Post by: djbrenton on July 06, 2011, 10:02:39
My favourite recipe is a very quick one. Prepare the callaloo by stripping the leaves. Then peel the cellulose like outer from the bottom of the stalks ( much like stripping rhubarb of the stringy bits) and cut the stalks into one inch pieces.. Chuck some tomatoes, garlic, onion and chilli into a frying pan together with the stalks and cook for about 20 minutes. Add the ripped leaf in for just long enough to wilt and serve.
Title: Re: Leaf Amaranthus
Post by: Hector on July 06, 2011, 21:05:35
Sounds delicious. Do you freeze a lot?