Contributed by Joel Felix, Oregon State University<\/p>\n
While thinking on the topic for my contribution to the Weeders of the West forum this time around, it hit me that for once we will look at the positive side of some weeds. In this case, Amaranth spp. Amaranthus is a cosmopolitan genus that belongs to the family Amaranthaceae, which is composed of 70+ species found worldwide. Invariably, many members of the Amaranthus family are considered weeds in the United States and worldwide. Among the 70+ species of Amaranthus, 17 are cultivated for edible leaves, and 3 are cultivated as food grains (Sarker et al., 2020). In the United States, Amaranths are broadly called \u2018pigweeds\u2019 e.g. redroot pigweed, Powell amaranth, prostrate pigweed, Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, spiny pigweed, smooth pigweed, and tumble pigweed. There are thousands of names for the many Amaranth species worldwide. Amaranth is an interesting genus that is considered weedy while some members are grown ornamentally as well as for grain and\/or as a green vegetable. In fact, Amaranth was an important crop for the Aztecs, who used the grain as both food and for religious rituals.<\/p>\n
Amaranth is native to Central America where it is cultivated for culinary usage, but has spread nearly worldwide and more so in the tropical world through various routes. Most members of the Amaranth family are annual with simple leaves arranged alternately along hairy or smooth stems. Because of its more efficient C4 photosynthesis pathway, it grows rapidly under summer heat, and it is believed to tolerate acidic, alkaline, or saline soil conditions. Its high protein content (only from grain) makes a valuable impact on human nutrition in various countries.<\/p>\n
This brief article will address the leafy amaranths used as vegetables in East Africa and other parts of the continent. Amaranths used as veggies carry various local names such as \u2018\u2018mchicha\u2019\u2019 in Tanzania, \u2018\u2018terere\u2019\u2019 in Kenya, \u2018\u2018aluma\u2019\u2019 and \u2018\u2018heberxefa\u2019\u2019 in Ethiopia, and \u2018\u2018Ddodo\u2019\u2019 in Uganda and Rwanda, and are a popular traditional African leafy vegetable with a long cultural tradition in East Africa and other regions on the continent. Amaranthus cruentus<\/em>, Amaranthus dubius<\/em>, and Amaranthus hypochondriacus<\/em> are the most widely grown species in Tanzania and other countries in Africa (Fekadu Fufa Dinsa et al., 2019). Whether growing unattended or cultivated, Amaranthus dubius<\/em> leaves commonly have dark green hues or dark green with splashes of dark purple overlay in the leaf\u2019s center (Figures 1 and 2). Amaranthus dubius<\/em> tends to have a slow early growth, branching habit, and tendency for late flowering that prolongs vegetative growth and allows multiple leaf harvests (Fekadu Fufa Dinsa et al., 2019) until the plant reaches approximately 1.5 meters.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n Figure 1. Amaranth plot in Morogoro, Tanzania. Photo courtesy of Ms. Mwajuma Zinga, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Figure 2. Amaranth monoculture garden in Morogoro, Tanzania. Photo courtesy of Ms. Mwajuma Zinga, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n Amaranthus dubius\u2019<\/em> young leaves may be eaten raw or cooked. In Uganda, it is commonly cooked with onions, tomatoes, and peanut sauce. Across East Africa, Amaranthus dubius<\/em> is normally harvested as whole plants at about 30-cm tall (Figure 3) or leaves picked to allow the plant to continue growing. Young succulent stems and leaves are commonly cooked to soften the texture and enhance flavor. Once cut into pieces, they are saut\u00e9ed with tomato and onion, or steamed as a simple side dish. The thick nature of the leaves prevents them from becoming too soggy. Amaranthus dubius<\/em> is a rich source of potassium, iron, calcium, zinc, manganese, copper, thiamine, and vitamins A and C (Health Encyclopedia, Umakanta Sanker et al., 2020).<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n To grow veggie Amaranth, prepare the soil to a smooth tilth in order to accommodate the small seeds. Lightly fertilize the soil and spread Amaranth seeds in rows or broadcast and incorporate in the soil shallowly. As plant growth continues, thin to 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) spacing by harvesting (uprooting) young plants to be used as vegetable. Search for recipes online. Amaranthus dubius<\/em> would need wider spacing of 30 to 50 cm (12-20 inches) to accommodate its large size as you continue picking leaves.<\/p>\n A Google search yielded various sources of seeds for Amaranth veggie types (I recommend Amaranthus dubius<\/em> \u2013 also referred to as Chinese spinach). So, be adventurous this summer by growing veggie Amaranth and challenge your taste buds to this nutritious plant. By the way, the taste would not be much different from spinach! Bon appetit!<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Figure 3. Amaranth veggie greens at a marketplace in Morogoro, Tanzania. Photo courtesy of Ms. Mwajuma Zinga, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n References and Other Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n Fekadu Fufa Dinsa, Peter Hanson, Dolores, R. Ledesma, Ruth Minja, Omary Mbwambo, Mansuetus Severine Tilya, and Tsvetelina Stoilova, 2019. Yield of Vegetable Amaranth in Diverse Tanzanian Production Environments. HortTechnology 29(4): 516-527.<\/p>\n Health Encyclopedia. Nutrition Facts. Amaranth leaves, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt, 1 cup. https:\/\/www.urmc.rochester.edu\/encyclopedia\/content.aspx?contenttypeid=76&contentid=11004-1<\/a> (Accessed May 12, 2023).<\/p>\n![\"Amaranth](\"https:\/\/s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/smallgrains.wsu.edu\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/05\/Figure-1.-Amaranth-plot-in-Morogoro-Tanzania-photo-courtesy-of-Ms-Mwajuma-Zinga-Sokoine-University-of-Agriculture-Tanzania.jpg\")
\n\t<\/div>\n![\"Amaranth](\"https:\/\/s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/smallgrains.wsu.edu\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/05\/Figure-2.-Amaranth-monoculture-garden-in-Morogoro-Tanzania-photo-courtesy-of-Ms-Mwajuma-Zinga-Sokoine-University-of-Agriculture-Tanzania.jpg\")
\n\t<\/div>\n![\"Amaranth](\"https:\/\/s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/smallgrains.wsu.edu\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/05\/Figure-3.-Amaranth-veggie-greens-at-a-market-place-in-Morogoro-Tanzania-photo-courtesy-of-Ms-Mwajuma-Zinga-Sokoine-University-of-Agriculture-Tanzania.jpg\")
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