Comments on: In Season: Fresh Amaranth with Green Chickpeas

By: nyginko

nyginko — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:47:22 +0000

Indira, thanks for sharing these wonderful teachings!

I was so curious about amaranth greens, to taste them and see what they looked like, how they grow. So I brought home a bunch of amaranth leaves from “Little India” on Lower Lexington Avenue here in N.Y. last summer or early fall. I asked for them, the vendor disappeared into the back of the shop, then returned with several wonderful large fresh bunches of these greens. They were not in the refrigerated cabinets, not losing their vitality. I cooked them, they were delicious.

This spring I thought I would sow some using amaranth grains. I sprouted the amaranth then threw them in the pots on the terrace during the winter. Now after the fact I’ve learned that there are dozens of different kinds of amaranth greens, my “grain” greens grew with vigor and abandon, but they soon became infested with little green insects. If I ate insects, I would have really had a feast! Instead now I have a new respect for commercial planters!

The insects on my plants weren’t easy to wash off even after three, four, and more washings in my bathtub. I am a “new” balcony gardener, so this is part of my successes and failures. Fortuneately, I’ve noted that you mentioned mustard greens which are easily available at uptown markets, so I’ll go for them again until I’m able to bring home more of the cultivated amaranth greens. Thank you so much again for sharing this wisdom. In my eighth decade, I feel so fortunate to keep learning. ~ chana ~

By: Sowma

Sowma — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:16:48 +0000

Indira, Where do I get these greens? In what name do they sell these in USA? Any idea/

I think this is what they use in Kanda-Bachali, if am not wrong. I would like to try that and not sure if I ever spotted this greens in the market…

By: nithya

nithya — Sun, 17 May 2009 15:20:39 +0000

looks great…i’ve never cooked with amaranth but will pick some up next time i’m at the store. i also love pairing any leafy green with daal or legumes – such an easy, healthy meal, which we also love taking as lunch. better than fast food junk any day.

By: lazy blogger

lazy blogger — Sun, 10 May 2009 19:30:18 +0000

I prepared this recipe with frozen spinach as i did not have fresh amaranth on hand. It tastes good and is very nutritious. Its also different from my usual Keerai Masiyal and other Tamil style recipes. Thanks!

By: Vichika

Vichika — Sun, 10 May 2009 17:13:52 +0000

Thanks Indira!I will check them out.

By: Kay

Kay — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:58:23 +0000

And so glad to hear that you are having a good time with your inlaws. My ammamma aged so gracefully, so does a really nice aunt I met (we are from different cultures, ages in life, but I guess, we kind of adopted each other), I can only hope to age like these two ladies someday.

By: Kay

Kay — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:56:01 +0000

Now I know where I picked up this habit of adding greens to beans… All your pictures and recipes were making an effect subliminally, I guess. Thank you!

By: Karthi

Karthi — Fri, 08 May 2009 20:59:21 +0000

Thanks Indira:)
Still near lancaster..but there is a additional member in the family Vinay.. So life is keeping me busy still:) Yes, i miss kitchenmate too, someday soon Indira.
Howz is life…

By: Pooja

Pooja — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:13:35 +0000

I bought a bag of green chana the other and have been on the lookout for an interesting recipe. Thanks, bookmarked!

By: Indira

Indira — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:01:57 +0000

Thank you all for sharing such good comments about parents. Appreciate the kindness.

Lavanya: they are from local Indian grocery shop.

Dear Karthi Kannan, so good to read your comments after such long time. How are you and your cute son? Where are you now? Are you still in Lancaster? Miss Kitchenmate!

Priti: Try Chinese grocery shops. Usually they are sold as red spinach.

Vichika: Congratulations on your marriage! Happy to be of help.:)
Red swiss chard is different from amaranth and I haven’t seen amaranth at HEB. I bought mine from local chinese grocery shop called Well Farm. Try Chinese or Indian grocery shops at College Station. Red spinach, Chinese spinach, Keerai, Thorakura/koyagura are other names for Amaranth. Checkout this photo of whole bunch for easy identification. Hope this helps.