THE CHINESE GREENS - Growing Chinese Vegetables in Your Own Backyard - page 7

to keep the varieties separate; this is important both for taste tests and to identify the
variety when you plant next year. When completely dry, shake the plants in the bags to
allow seeds to fall to the bottom and be easily collected. Check plants for any seeds that
remain and hand-pick.
Once the seeds are completely dry, store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.
Seeds can be cooked alone or mixed with cereal grains, or ground into flour. The flour
contains no gluten and combines well with other flours in baked goods like biscuits and
bread. Reserve some seeds for planting next year.
Remove the top few inches to delay flowering and prolong the harvest.
Varieties
Amaranthus tricolor has attractively variegated, edible green-and-red leaves. The same
species is sometimes sold as A. gangeticus , Greek amaranth. A. hypochondriacus pro-
duces abundant seeds but is not the best variety for greens.
To get the most delicious varieties, look for vegetable amaranth, or ask to make sure
the variety is edible as well as ornamental. Try different kinds each year until you find
one you like best. Since amaranth is so ornamental, try several different kinds in one
season by planting some in flower beds.