You would be likely to miss some seeds though why not just tie a bag around the head then when it starts dying back cut the head off with everything inside?
Hmmm, interesting. Do amaranth seeds, like quinoa, have all the essential amino acids, ie, is it a complete protein? Have you found any quinoa in the wild? Nice series, thank you very much. What part of Maine are you from?
It's delicious stir fried with hoison, soy sauce, sugar, & garlic. My dad will some time steam them (leaves & stem) and serve as a side to a meat dish. You can find them at Asian markets in America.
@aznchic83 Definitely! With a lot of wild, "spinach surrogate" sorts of plants like these, guides suggest boiling or steaming them. But unless it's something that HAS to be boiled to be edible (like cleavers, bladder compain, or jewelweed), I almost always stir-fry the vegetable instead. The flavor is superior and, I like to think, so is the nutrition. Also, nikkiidaniels, dock is also excellent in stir fries- even during the summer, the leaves are perfectly usable.
@mark1983peace I shot the video over several days for various reasons. About half way through I noticed I had mentioned beer three or so times. The only thing to do was to use it.
@EatTheWeeds Sure got me interested, lol. Thanks for the videos mate, they really helped me see just how plentiful the wild food supply is, and how unnecessary it is to import it from other countries. I also now feel like I have a deeper kinship with my environment. Keep making those vids mate!
On species identificion of amaranth - how readily do the different species hybridize on their own? Could that be why you are seeing characteristics of both grain and vegatable types of amaranth in the same plant?
@frugalnanny The leaves can be eaten raw but is usually cooked. The seeds need to be soaked to get rid of any soapy coating. If not they can upset your tummy.
Thanks for writing. Where do I mention stipules in reference to amaranth? I've listened to the video twice and read my article twice. If I mention stipules in reference to amaranth I can't find where. On my website the only plant I mention stipules about is the Paederia foetida, which is a smelly vine. How are you defining "stipule?" A stipule is one of a pair of leaflike structures, spines, glands or scales at the leaf base or along a petiole.
From Wikipedia: "Outgrowths borne on either side of the base of a leafstalk (the petiole)." I thought that was what you were point out at 1:32, or would that just be called branching? Thank you for your response. :)
Thanks for the reply. First, Wikipedia is very unreliable as far as edible plants go. I never use it and I've stopped correcting it, there are so many mistakes. Next if I meant stipules I would have said stipules. Stipules tend to be, for lack of better words, the after effect of original growth. Amaranth is like coleus in that it can grown new stems and blossoms where a petiole meets the stem. As one might infer, this allows one by selectve pruning to make the plant very bushy.
a plant that looks a lot like amaranth grows in my back yard. it a bit purplish and it has some nasty little thorn on its bark. is it amaranth? is it edible too? thanks
This is so difficult because we may not be using the same words the same way. Herbacious plants do not have bark. Trees have bark. But, there is an Amaranth in central Florida that does have spines, A. spinosa, but it is not purple per se but more red stalked. If it is A. spinosa it is edible. Got a picture you can send me?
thanks.. did not mean to say bark, meant to say stalk and you are right purple might not right choice of word, but you probably nailed anyway. I will try to send a picture, thanks again Mr Dean,
We have several species that grow as garden weeds in Turkey, and it's a great vegetable. just gather the leaves and end shoots, boil them and strain them, then put on some olive oil, lemon and salt. Great!
I think I have two different species of Amaranth in my yard. I have been watching these for some time. Though I am a bit new to foraging I have eaten quite a few plants because I knew them my whole life. I don't know Amaranth so they are under observation. The best laid natural trap for me was hemp dogbane shoots growing next to milkweed shoots. I knew the plant but not in every stage. The first clue was there is no bitter edible milkweed. Now I know many differences even at the shoot stage.
I just discovered your videos and I love them! I live in DC and go out to Virginia on weekends and thanks to your video I have found amaranth in downtown DC, Culper VA, and on a mountain path in Woodville VA. The plants on the mountain are smaller and I don't see any seeds yet.
You've never seen the greens for sale? That surprising. I think I'd heard of its being edible (we call it "pigweed"), but was quite leery until I kept seeing it being sold in Chinatown here.
I don't think I've gotten around to cooking any yet though, but I did finally try Lamb's Quarters last year.
I found a plant today that was a bit like what you have said here that has red at the base of the leaves. The only thing is its more like a Celery stick at the bottom. The stems are like 12" before the leave starts and the leave its self is similar shaped of these leaves here but a bit more round with semi rounded jagged edges? very much veins in the leaves front & back but still green. The leave is leathery feeling but soft? But theres no stock the leaves grow off, its more like a bushel
I live in E TX. But I found some pictures that resemble it more! Sorrel, Sheep but theres still something wrong about the way the veins run in the leaf? Even though it grows out of the ground the same way as the pictures I found on the Sorrel, Sheep its just seems like theres something not right about it, unless the plant is older? These leaves are more rounded and a small point on the top of the leaf. I'm going to take pictures of it, do you have a email?
The look up rumex... better, google "plants of texas southwest Tull rumex" that should get you an excerpt from a book of that name... that page says you have rumex acetosa rumex acetosella rumex crispus rumex hymenosepalus, rumex hastatulus and seven others.
Ya I think so! Theres just to much different types of plants here I have never seen before as it is. Some I know, allot I dont. I went to that Tull site and theres a book there I can buy about Texas plants, so im putting it on order on payday. Thanks so much!
Think twice before getting the book. It has very few pictures, or diagrams. It is more a list of plants with comments, but it is not a guide at all. It is a good application reference, or a reference for what is there, but it is not a guide book at all.
Texas, like Florida, gets a short shift and we are not well represented in any field guide. But I think the best book out there now over all for people starting out is Edible WIld Plants by Thomas Elias and Peter Dykeman. Its in several books stores, costs around $20
Can you make a beer out of this one? ... No, LOL, never mind. Just kidding. Well, your vids. are very interesting. I think that with all the factors at work in the world nowadays, this information is, and will become even more so: useful (and needed). - Well, I started with vid. 1, passing 17 and headed toward 18 now... Hope to catch up to the "fresh stuff" ASAP. Great show! Great & quickly becoming NEEDED (I think) information! Keep up the good work! "Tootles!" ;-)
Now, somewhere along the way, maybe the seed fell out and a tiny bird ate it. However, before the food was digested, a hawk caught the tiny bird, right? -- And with its migration after winter, flew to, or near, Florida. Then, maybe the bird-droppings planted the seed, or the hawk got hit by a car, a buzzard or fox ate the hawk carcass, carried the seed further, and sowed it in droppings.
Then, perhaps someone coming to the U.S. seeking work, bought some before leaving Mexico, or was in a store where the tiny seeds fell into the cuff of his pants.
You're not alone in your interests. When one becomes interested in plants and how they affect our lives the world becomes not only more intimate but at the same time larger because we're more involved with this big old blue spaceship that sustains us.
You would be likely to miss some seeds though why not just tie a bag around the head then when it starts dying back cut the head off with everything inside?
AlusaBird2 1 week ago
Although there may be a diffrence it really just shows the creator just knows what needs to be done.
your gonna have allotttt of teaching to do soon buddy
AncientSpirit1000 3 months ago
Thanks for writing. It is not Callaloo, it is Amaranthus australis, which can grow to some 13 feet tall. It is in the same genus as Callaloo,
EatTheWeeds 4 months ago
Comment removed
AncientSpirit1000 4 months ago
Hmmm, interesting. Do amaranth seeds, like quinoa, have all the essential amino acids, ie, is it a complete protein? Have you found any quinoa in the wild? Nice series, thank you very much. What part of Maine are you from?
grintz77 5 months ago
It's delicious stir fried with hoison, soy sauce, sugar, & garlic. My dad will some time steam them (leaves & stem) and serve as a side to a meat dish. You can find them at Asian markets in America.
aznchic83 9 months ago
@aznchic83 Definitely! With a lot of wild, "spinach surrogate" sorts of plants like these, guides suggest boiling or steaming them. But unless it's something that HAS to be boiled to be edible (like cleavers, bladder compain, or jewelweed), I almost always stir-fry the vegetable instead. The flavor is superior and, I like to think, so is the nutrition. Also, nikkiidaniels, dock is also excellent in stir fries- even during the summer, the leaves are perfectly usable.
GiantPetRat 8 months ago
Fantastic video
DiederikPolydore 11 months ago
i think that second plant is what we call dock.. good to put on insect bites.. squeeze for juice and apply direct to sting site..
nikkiidaniels 1 year ago
Lots of good information! I hope to grow some this year.
GoingOrganic1 1 year ago
I updated it, so while it is still #18 it is lower down on the list. Its now between episode 111 and 112.
EatTheWeeds 1 year ago
What happened to Episode 18?
ManTheBush 1 year ago
Hey Deane, did you know that you can make a beer out of it?
mark1983peace 1 year ago
@mark1983peace Really? Dang, I need to look into that...
EatTheWeeds 1 year ago
@mark1983peace I shot the video over several days for various reasons. About half way through I noticed I had mentioned beer three or so times. The only thing to do was to use it.
EatTheWeeds 1 year ago
@EatTheWeeds Sure got me interested, lol. Thanks for the videos mate, they really helped me see just how plentiful the wild food supply is, and how unnecessary it is to import it from other countries. I also now feel like I have a deeper kinship with my environment. Keep making those vids mate!
mark1983peace 1 year ago
i learned alot, thanks
Farfromhere001 1 year ago
What area in FL are you ...
zbyrdman 1 year ago
@zbyrdman Near Orlando
EatTheWeeds 1 year ago
theres these plants all over phoenix. i think that its amaranth, but not sure. im going to put a video up to see.+
+
teamgrn 1 year ago
On species identificion of amaranth - how readily do the different species hybridize on their own? Could that be why you are seeing characteristics of both grain and vegatable types of amaranth in the same plant?
Jefferdaughter 1 year ago
@Jefferdaughter Oh yeah, they mix and match a lot, also local conditions can stress a plant to look far different than species pictures.
EatTheWeeds 1 year ago
I would love to meet you.
You inspire me to forage for food.
I have amarath in my front yard and it has seeds on top.
can I eat it in a green smooty?
can I cook and eat like spinage?
frugalnanny 1 year ago
@frugalnanny The leaves can be eaten raw but is usually cooked. The seeds need to be soaked to get rid of any soapy coating. If not they can upset your tummy.
EatTheWeeds 1 year ago
How do you make amaranth beer?
Oxygenfire111 1 year ago
@Oxygenfire111 The way one does with grain, almost. RInse it well as if you were going to eat it. Let it dry, grind, then ferment.
EatTheWeeds 1 year ago
@UGlory I certainly did.
EatTheWeeds 1 year ago
Every one of my resources say that amaranths should have no stipules, why do yours have them?
austereben 2 years ago
Thanks for writing. Where do I mention stipules in reference to amaranth? I've listened to the video twice and read my article twice. If I mention stipules in reference to amaranth I can't find where. On my website the only plant I mention stipules about is the Paederia foetida, which is a smelly vine. How are you defining "stipule?" A stipule is one of a pair of leaflike structures, spines, glands or scales at the leaf base or along a petiole.
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
From Wikipedia: "Outgrowths borne on either side of the base of a leafstalk (the petiole)." I thought that was what you were point out at 1:32, or would that just be called branching? Thank you for your response. :)
austereben 2 years ago
Thanks for the reply. First, Wikipedia is very unreliable as far as edible plants go. I never use it and I've stopped correcting it, there are so many mistakes. Next if I meant stipules I would have said stipules. Stipules tend to be, for lack of better words, the after effect of original growth. Amaranth is like coleus in that it can grown new stems and blossoms where a petiole meets the stem. As one might infer, this allows one by selectve pruning to make the plant very bushy.
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
Part II: Yes, branching.
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
So what is the follow-up to the questionable amaranth? Were you able to positively identify it after observation?
SALAMISANDWICH 2 years ago
Yes, I mention it on my webstie. It was Amaranthus australis.
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
Mr Dean,
a plant that looks a lot like amaranth grows in my back yard. it a bit purplish and it has some nasty little thorn on its bark. is it amaranth? is it edible too? thanks
mfreda 2 years ago
This is so difficult because we may not be using the same words the same way. Herbacious plants do not have bark. Trees have bark. But, there is an Amaranth in central Florida that does have spines, A. spinosa, but it is not purple per se but more red stalked. If it is A. spinosa it is edible. Got a picture you can send me?
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
thanks.. did not mean to say bark, meant to say stalk and you are right purple might not right choice of word, but you probably nailed anyway. I will try to send a picture, thanks again Mr Dean,
mfreda 2 years ago
We have several species that grow as garden weeds in Turkey, and it's a great vegetable. just gather the leaves and end shoots, boil them and strain them, then put on some olive oil, lemon and salt. Great!
sazji 2 years ago
I think I have two different species of Amaranth in my yard. I have been watching these for some time. Though I am a bit new to foraging I have eaten quite a few plants because I knew them my whole life. I don't know Amaranth so they are under observation. The best laid natural trap for me was hemp dogbane shoots growing next to milkweed shoots. I knew the plant but not in every stage. The first clue was there is no bitter edible milkweed. Now I know many differences even at the shoot stage.
gwynedd1 2 years ago
Would the tiny black seeds of common amaranth make decent sprouts?
I've painstakingly made sure what I have in my yard is common pigweed or Amaranthus retroflexus ; )
I might as well ask the same about chenopodium since I also have tons of that in my yard as well.
aredditor 2 years ago
You can sprout them but they are minute. You can use amaranth and chenopodium the same way.
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
I just discovered your videos and I love them! I live in DC and go out to Virginia on weekends and thanks to your video I have found amaranth in downtown DC, Culper VA, and on a mountain path in Woodville VA. The plants on the mountain are smaller and I don't see any seeds yet.
thanks so much...
atlasbauche 2 years ago
Please make sure you have the right plant and use more than the video to go on. Thanks.
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
In other counties I have seen amaranth for say, and the flour and seeds in heath food stores... but not greens in the US.
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
You've never seen the greens for sale? That surprising. I think I'd heard of its being edible (we call it "pigweed"), but was quite leery until I kept seeing it being sold in Chinatown here.
I don't think I've gotten around to cooking any yet though, but I did finally try Lamb's Quarters last year.
alittlecuir 2 years ago
I found a plant today that was a bit like what you have said here that has red at the base of the leaves. The only thing is its more like a Celery stick at the bottom. The stems are like 12" before the leave starts and the leave its self is similar shaped of these leaves here but a bit more round with semi rounded jagged edges? very much veins in the leaves front & back but still green. The leave is leathery feeling but soft? But theres no stock the leaves grow off, its more like a bushel
DreidMusicalX 2 years ago
Hmmmm... what area do you life in? Sounds like you found a rhubarb or a burdock....
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
I live in E TX. But I found some pictures that resemble it more! Sorrel, Sheep but theres still something wrong about the way the veins run in the leaf? Even though it grows out of the ground the same way as the pictures I found on the Sorrel, Sheep its just seems like theres something not right about it, unless the plant is older? These leaves are more rounded and a small point on the top of the leaf. I'm going to take pictures of it, do you have a email?
DreidMusicalX 2 years ago
The look up rumex... better, google "plants of texas southwest Tull rumex" that should get you an excerpt from a book of that name... that page says you have rumex acetosa rumex acetosella rumex crispus rumex hymenosepalus, rumex hastatulus and seven others.
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
Ya I think so! Theres just to much different types of plants here I have never seen before as it is. Some I know, allot I dont. I went to that Tull site and theres a book there I can buy about Texas plants, so im putting it on order on payday. Thanks so much!
DreidMusicalX 2 years ago
Think twice before getting the book. It has very few pictures, or diagrams. It is more a list of plants with comments, but it is not a guide at all. It is a good application reference, or a reference for what is there, but it is not a guide book at all.
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
Ok thank you, is there any that you would recommend?
DreidMusicalX 2 years ago
Texas, like Florida, gets a short shift and we are not well represented in any field guide. But I think the best book out there now over all for people starting out is Edible WIld Plants by Thomas Elias and Peter Dykeman. Its in several books stores, costs around $20
EatTheWeeds 2 years ago
Can you make a beer out of this one? ... No, LOL, never mind. Just kidding. Well, your vids. are very interesting. I think that with all the factors at work in the world nowadays, this information is, and will become even more so: useful (and needed). - Well, I started with vid. 1, passing 17 and headed toward 18 now... Hope to catch up to the "fresh stuff" ASAP. Great show! Great & quickly becoming NEEDED (I think) information! Keep up the good work! "Tootles!" ;-)
RackAttack8BC 3 years ago
Wow.... even I don't watch them all... the earlier videos could have been better...but... they do get better....
EatTheWeeds 3 years ago
The mystery plant is Amaranthus australis, commonly called 'giant amaranth'
bdmoore12771 3 years ago
Great! I never took the time to identify it exactly. That's wonderful. Even after transplanting it got to about 12 feet tall.
EatTheWeeds 3 years ago
Sure does, very well... that and chinopodium album... should be getting edible by now....
EatTheWeeds 3 years ago
hmm would Amaranth grow in a climate like New Hampshires?
LiliumNightShade 3 years ago
Another possibility? Perhaps an immigrant brought some in all the way to Florida after a trip back to home in Mexico.
Wrayn2002 3 years ago
Now, somewhere along the way, maybe the seed fell out and a tiny bird ate it. However, before the food was digested, a hawk caught the tiny bird, right? -- And with its migration after winter, flew to, or near, Florida. Then, maybe the bird-droppings planted the seed, or the hawk got hit by a car, a buzzard or fox ate the hawk carcass, carried the seed further, and sowed it in droppings.
Wrayn2002 3 years ago
Then, perhaps someone coming to the U.S. seeking work, bought some before leaving Mexico, or was in a store where the tiny seeds fell into the cuff of his pants.
Wrayn2002 3 years ago
Well, here is a theory on how it got there. Maybe some of a crop in Mexico was sold at market and delivered to a store in northeastern Mexico.
Wrayn2002 3 years ago
The "mystery" amaranth : could it be "Mayo Indian" grain amaranth? That variety seems to have red stems & green leaves, right?
Wrayn2002 3 years ago
I think it is, and quite tall, some 7 feet now. The means by which it got here is the interesting story, and a good primer on how plants travel.
EatTheWeeds 3 years ago
Thanks, the unidentified amaranth is just starting to send up some flower spikes so I may soon be able to figure out which one it is.
EatTheWeeds 3 years ago
Great vids.I wish u the best of luck.TB
meltglass1 3 years ago
Indeed we are.
EatTheWeeds 3 years ago
Does this grow in the midwest?
dnHooligan 3 years ago
Yes, throughout North America and many places around the world.
EatTheWeeds 3 years ago
Thanks. I've become incredibly interested in foraging and permaculture, recently.
dnHooligan 3 years ago
You're not alone in your interests. When one becomes interested in plants and how they affect our lives the world becomes not only more intimate but at the same time larger because we're more involved with this big old blue spaceship that sustains us.
EatTheWeeds 3 years ago
mitakuye oyasin
dnHooligan 3 years ago