Amaranth: a superfood for the backyard gardener

Cultivated as a grain for 8,000 years, today, Amaranth is gaining popularity as a crop of the future. It's a very adaptable, drought-tolerant, and hardy plant; in fact, most species of Amaranthus are classified as a weed (commonly known as pigweed).

Today Amaranth is making a comeback as a kind of superfood; it’s high in protein (12-17%), calcium (more than spinach), and amino acids like lysine (deficient in most grains). The leaves are high in vitamins A and C, riboflavin, and folic acid.

Amaranth is also gaining popularity as a crop of the future. It’s a very adaptable, drought-tolerant, and hearty plant; in fact, most species of Amaranthus are classified as a weed (commonly known as pigweed).

It’s an easy plant for the backyard farmer. Plant after the last frost and it should continue to grow through the summer. The seeds can be used sprinkled on salads or cereals or even popped as popcorn. Once milled, it can be used as any other flour: to make gluten-free bread, cereal, cookies, etc.

In this video, we talk to one backyard farmer about the amaranth growing all over her yard.

[iphanienerema]

I grew up eating amaranth in my country of Haiti. We grow them a lot and we call them spinach (white and red). We don't eat the seeds but the leaves and the stalks. Amaranth is so tasty and has this great aroma when cooked. A simple way to cook the leaves is by sautéing in olive oil sautéed with onion and bacon bits. If you don't want to add bacon, you can just sprinkle with garlic and salt. Eat with steak and chicken. BTW, it is extremely rich in iron. You can make soup with the stalks.

[npatel]

Hi I am Indian, we call this seeds RAJGRO it’s one of seeds that we eat during fasting time and we make sweet out of this with Jagrry ( GUR ), and the leaf we Cook almost every other week . It’s one of he healthiest leafy vegetable, and four is easily can get from all Indian store and much cheaper . Then regular brand . Because we harvest a lot in India because it’s regular food . It’s gluten free flour.

[josephdupont]

Amaranth is a grain that naturally contains oxalic acid. While oxalic acid is not typically harmful when consumed in moderate amounts, if you're looking to reduce its levels in amaranth, you can try cooking it with a mild alkaline substance. One common alkaline substance used in cooking is baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

Here's a method you can use to cook amaranth with baking soda to potentially reduce oxalic acid levels:

1. Rinse the amaranth: Thoroughly rinse the amaranth grains under running water to remove any impurities.

2. Measure the amaranth and water: Determine the amount of amaranth you want to cook and measure an appropriate amount of water. The ratio is typically 1:2, meaning one part amaranth to two parts water.

3. Add baking soda: For every cup of amaranth, you can add a pinch or a quarter teaspoon of baking soda to the cooking water. This amount is generally sufficient to help neutralize some of the oxalic acid.

4. Cook the amaranth: Place the rinsed amaranth and the water with baking soda in a pot. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the amaranth until it's tender and the water is absorbed, following the package instructions or cooking times specific to your recipe.

5. Rinse and drain: Once the amaranth is cooked, you can choose to rinse it with water to remove any residual baking soda or oxalates. This step is optional, and it may affect the texture and flavor of the cooked grain.

Please note that while cooking amaranth with baking soda may help reduce oxalic acid levels, it may also affect the taste and texture of the grain. It's always a good idea to experiment with small batches first and adjust the amount of baking soda to suit your taste preferences.

Additionally, if you have specific health concerns or dietary restrictions, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized advice.

[jessicapabon]

The seeds of the amaranth also can be grounded as a flour. The Native Mayans grew this

[Mastoura]

In greek we call these have been eating these for hundreds of years....boil the leafs for 10min then take them out strain them and add some fresh olive oil....u can also add lemon or vinigar on them....but the olive oil is a must :)

[nickhayley]

Such a versatile plant. I bought some seeds on a whim a few days ago. I'm actually super excited to plant them now.

[carolbenson]

Wow. I just tried planting this for the first time for its beauty. I didn't know we could eat the seeds. I'm going to use these in my waffles and cookies!!

[nereidapr]

Wow i didn't know you can eat that plant. I always saw it like flowers. Great video.

[essieandsaul]

They are ancient grains. I have a backyard full of them this year...not intentionally. My husband bought some seeds as a child and planted them in the backyard, we now own his childhood home. Every year some pop up here and there in the yard, but this year, they grew their own crop in my yard, so I decided that we are going to eat them!

[m.gillett]

Me: oh ok cool, love the plants
Also me: wait...is she carrying a bird that’s carrying scissors ?!

[carolynwilliams]

I wish I'd known about this grain & millet & chia when I was growing up in L.A. My life would have been a lot healthier & easier now. I would have taught my children the dangers of eating meat. Old habits die hard!!! 😳🙄👍

[Jefferdaughter]

Thanks for the info! In return, I will share some knowledge: 'hearty' - means 'from the heart; heartfelt, as in, "hearty laughter".
In the case of amaranth, the word 'hardy' applies - meaning 'hard; strong; able to withstand hardships or adverse conditions'.

[TapurokNatureFarm]

Pigweed salad helps with my pins and needles. They grow anywhere where I'm from.

[carolynwilliams]

I tried some of it today. It's quite good!!! I'm gonna try Millet in a few days with some zucchini. I already have some Chia seeds. I'm gonna try it with almond milk!!! 👍🤔😃

[TheBlueFairiee]

I eagerly await any video on your channel! Thank you for bringing these inspirations to us!

[Hamptonacres]

I grew this back in the mid 80's. You can pop it and mix it with honey for a dessert and you can even make a flour out of it. The problem I had is that it gets buggy and trying to separate the seeds from the bugs makes it difficult to work with. My crop attracted tiny aphid-like bugs. This grain was more popular than corn when Cortez hit this Continent. It was outlawed by Christians because the Indians would mix the grain with the blood of a human sacrifice then eat it.

[gungshi]

"it's been around so long" flawless logic

[rosewood]

I have Love Lies Bleeding and I ordered them for my own birds, they love the seeds.
I also want the leaves. Technically weed NOUN a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants.
I have had many volunteers that I didn't plant and actually I call that free food.

[BrendaRa]

I have never heard of amaranth before today that I can recall. I have tortilla chips made with it.

[wannabesomethingmore]

I started seedlings this year so we could try to collect more seed for the future larger plantings. We eat for our blood type and my husband and sons can have amaranth seed in their diet. I can have millet so I will try growing that for myself and our cockatiel.