NAME: Amaranth
SPECIES / FAMILY: Amaranthus Palmeri / Amaranthaceae
COMMON NAME(S): Palmer Amaranth, pigweed
CONDITIONS: sun/shade
PARTS: |
EDIBLE |
TASTE |
RAW / COOK |
SEASON |
All |
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Shoots |
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Leaves |
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spinach |
RAW / COOK |
Late Spring-Fall |
Buds/Flowers |
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Fruits |
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Roots |
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Seeds |
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nutty |
RAW / COOK |
Summer/Fall |
Nuts |
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Pods |
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Stalk |
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Bark |
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PORTION:
small/herb
COMMENT: Superfood. Delicious cooked leaves. Place leaves in boiling water and remove from stove to sit for 20 minutes, leaving the lid off. Should be thoroughly cooked, but retain green color. Seeds can be eaten raw, roasted, ground into flour, or popped like popcorn.
CAUTION: Contains oxalic acid, to minimize, boil with lid off.
NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:
o http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-amaranth000000000000000000000.html
o http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2303/2
o https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-869/amaranth The leaves, stems and seeds of Palmer amaranth are edible and highly nutritious. The leaves are cooked as a spinach. The seed is also cooked and then used with cereal flours in porridge and breads. (1)
LOOK-A-LIKES / RELATED: mat and spiny amaranths
POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: deadly nightshade https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atropa_belladonna
OTHER USES:
Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant (1)
http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/a/amaranthus-palmeri=careless-weed.php
SOURCE LINKS (includes medicinal info and other uses):
https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Amaranthus+palmeri
http://www.eattheweeds.com/amaranth-grain-vegetable-icon and http://www.eattheweeds.com/palmer-amaranth
http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/amarath_20.html (GOOD PHOTOS)
https://joshfecteau.com/edible-farm-weeds-red-rooted-amaranth
https://foragerchef.com/common-amaranth-amaranthus-retroflexus-friends (recipe)
https://www.ediblelongisland.com/2013/08/08/foraging-for-amaranth-eat-like-a-greek (recipe)
https://www.foodandwine.com/grains/amaranth/amaranth-recipes
https://www.oola.com/life-in-flavor/2475972/must-try-amaranth-recipes
https://gourmandelle.com/amaranth-patties-chiftelute-de-amaranth
https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/tabbouleh-style-amaranth-salad