Serbajadi Red Leaf Amaranth – Amaranthus spp. (Amaranthaceae)
Commonly known as Chinese spinach, this vegetable is not hard to recognize given its striking round-shaped leaves which green with a bright red spot at the centre. Not only is red-leaved Amaranth flavoursome, but it is also inexpensive and can be grown quite easily in your garden. It is considered one of the world’s healthiest vegetables and exceptionally nutritious. Both the leaves and stems are edible and delicious. The plant should be washed well and the leaves pulled off the stems before cooking. The stem is usually peeled before it is cooked. It can be steamed, simmered in soups, or cooked in coconut milk with root vegetables such as sweet potato or pumpkin.
Type of vegetable: Leafy
Edible parts: Leaves; shoots, stems
DIRECTION OF USE
Best soil: A light, sandy, well-drained and fertile soil.
How to plant: The seeds should be sown very thinly on the soil. Seedlings, when they sprout, should be planted about 3-6 inches apart.
When to harvest: 30 days after sowing of seeds when leaves are 6” to 8” (15-25 cm) tall.
How to harvest: For greens, use the whole plant when they are small; carefully pull out the whole plant from the ground. For large plants, cut off 3” to 4” from the base of stems
Care: Keep soil moist. Weed regularly. Nitrogenous fertilisers are required during active growth.
STORAGE
Keep away from children and pets.
Store in cool and dry place away from direct sunlight.