Frilled Amaranthus

Amaranthus fimbriatus is fast becoming my favorite “weed."

All parts of it are edible and in my opinion pleasant tasting.

It makes a nice addition to Congee/Rice Porridge.

Because the flowers do contain some anti-nutrients, they should be cooked before eating, but I add some raw leaves to this soup, along with Malabar Spinach, Purslane, Onion Scapes, and whatever other edible garden greens I am growing and a soft boiled egg or two.

The roots are used in some cultures to make medicine.

The frilled flowers, ergo the name, are one way to differentiate this Amaranth from several of its similar relatives (palmeri, spinosa, etc.)