Amaranthus is an affordable, nutrients-dense green that adapts to harsh or difficult environments. It grows in poor soils and requires very little water while also resistant to pests and diseases. This amazing vegetable is packed with almost all the nutrients and bioactive compounds that our body needs on a daily basis: rich in carbohydrates, high-quality proteins, fibres, vitamins, omega-3, omega-6 oils and minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium and manganese and is gluten-free.
This green is known by many names depending on where one lives on the continent: imbuya (Botswana), imfino, morogo wa thepe (South Africa), dodo (Rwanda), lenga-lenga (Congo), bondwe (Zambia), bonongwe, mowa (Zimbabwe) or efo tete (Nigeria).
A green introduced into the human diet by ancient civilizations of the Incas, Mayas and Aztecs is now grown globally and locally, and set to provide much-needed nutritional value in these extremely challenging times.Regina Kasongo, who lives in the Nelson Mandela Metro, wanted to share her love of this vegetable with the communities of our Metro (and thereafter, extend this nationally)so, to this end, she is working with a farmer just outside Kareedow, Mr Rikus Du Preez, who grows and harvests this indigenous produce for her.
She would, ideally, like to distribute it via a national supermarket chain, whilst also providing a window of opportunity to two young Eastern Cape entrepreneurs, to distribute via their network as well – thus encouraging development and growth within the entrepreneurial space.
In India it is known as Indian-spinach.The Spanish call it el amaranto while the French call it amarante. Introducing this “old-fashioned but new” leafy green into our cropping system helps address gaps in nutrition while contributing to the diversification of our daily staple diet and, without doubt, also helps preserve our cultural heritage.
African Indigenous Produce implemented a virtual cooking competition, in Nelson Mandela Bay, delivering Mfino to several Caterers/Chefs/Restaurants, who all had to compile a Recipe, incorporating Mfino, send details, as well as photos of said Dish/Dishes; The Judges deliberated and announced Jurgen Ellis- Owner/Chef: Harbour Master as this year’s winner.
