Calalu (Amaranthus viridis)

Family: Amaranthaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

An excellent substitute for spinach. Leaves, the leafy stems and flower clusters are cooked and have a mild flavour. The seed is cooked whole. Common names include: African spinach; callaloo; green amaranth; rough pigweed; wild amaranth. Spanish: bledo blanco (Argentina); bledo manso (Colombia); bledo verde (Colombia); caruru (Argentina); chichimeca (Argentina); citaco (Argentina). French: amarante verte.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

mild flavour. — Leaves - cooked as a spinach.; The leafy stems and flower clusters are similarly used.; On a zero moisture basis, 100g of leaves contains 283 calories, 34.2g protein, 5.3g fat, 44.1g carbohydrate, 6.6g fibre, 16.4g ash, 2243mg calcium, 500mg phosphorus, 27mg iron, 336mg sodium, 2910mg potassium, 50mg vitamin A, 0.07mg thiamine, 2.43mg riboflavin, 11.8mg niacin and 790mg ascorbic acid.; Very small, about 1mm in diameter, but it is easy to harvest and very nutritious.

Habitat & North American Range

A weed of waste ground and roadsides but the original habitat is obscure. (Zone 7)