Provide a trellis or twine for it to climb on – a tomato cage works great. With a bit of special care, Malabar spinach will thrive even when planted in July. It just takes one step outside to be reminded that the full-fledged summer heat has finally arrived in Austin! Fold over. Malabar spinach has stiff, slightly spongy leaves reminiscent of chard. When cooked, Malabar spinach has a mucilaginous nature, meaning it can be a little slimy tasting (adding a … This mucilage is a great source of soluble fiber, much like pectin in apples. The vine will grow rapidly in the heat of summer all the way through fall. In one warm-weather season, a Malabar spinach plant can climb 10 to 20 feet high, so harvest abundantly! Add the malabar spinach leaves. Braise for just a few minutes with the liquid from the butter. Malabar spinach (Basella alba or Basella rubra) is not a true spinach, but rather a climbing vine in a class by itself. Melt the butter in the bottom of the pan with spinach and add salt and pepper. Some people find this texture delightful, and others distasteful, but in any case, the mucilage that causes the sliminess also makes Malabar spinach rich in soluble fiber and a helpful aid for digestion. My favorite way to use malabar spinach is like many other greens I’ve cooked. DIY Natural is about rediscovering the traditional value of doing things yourself, doing them naturally, and enjoying the benefits. In dry climates you may need to mist it occasionally as it prefers humidity. You can pick the younger leaves or wait until they get bigger. I haven’t noticed a difference in taste between the two. Malabar spinach should be planted along a fence or trellis. Malabar spinach grows best in a sunny area and warm climate, and is a great summer vegetable. When it’s done, remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Eat young leaves for best flavor. Ditch the canned cream of soup and crispy onions and make them yourself. Malabar spinach can be found at many Asian supermarkets, as well as farmers' markets. Malabar spinach is high in Vitamin A (100 grams contains roughly 8,000 units), Vitamin C, iron, and calcium. Have you ever grown malabar spinach? Malabar spinach doesn’t really taste like the “normal” spinach you typically find in the produce section. Reports | Media Resources | Volunteer | Videos | Careers | Support Us | Contact, Sustainable Food Center | 2921 E 17th St Bldg C, Austin, TX 78702 | 512-236-0074 | info@sustainablefoodcenter.org, Icons used throughout this website are made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com. Feel free to experiment with grapeseed, pecan, or even avocado oil. I’ve found that the sliminess diminishes by the time I get to the kitchen. Malabar spinach is not technically spinach, nor is it botanically related to spinach, though it can be used as a substitute for spinach in dishes and salads. Malabar spinach, also called Mong Toi, originates in India, where it readily grows on vines. Of course regular canola or vegetable oil will be fine too in a pinch. I found a few varieties that do better, but still not great. There don’t seem to be many pests or diseases that invade malabar spinach, so minimal use of something like neem oil is probably not necessary. Great in omelets – saute in butter along with herbs of choice – flavor blends well with garlic chives. Basella alba grows well under full sunlight in hot, humid climates and in areas lower than 500 metres (1,600 ft) above sea level. Making homemade vinaigrette only costs pennies and a few minutes, so once you start making your own, you will probably find that you like it better than store-bought versions. Malabar spinach needs to be cooked; not a salad friendly green. Malabar spinach leaves are succulent and a bit slimy in a way similar to okra. It also shares a similar nutritional profile, containing high levels of vitamins A and C (in fact, more vitamin C than true spinach), as well as calcium, iron, potassium, manganese and magnesium. By using this site, you are agreeing to the site’s terms of use. Native to tropical regions of Asia, this beautiful vining plant is not a “true” spinach but bears this common name because it has a similar flavor. The sap can be slimy though, so you might wan to bring a towel along. It has a high amount of protein for a plant and is also a good source of magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. All rights reserved. The plant is native to tropical Asia. Slowly add olive oil in a steady stream and then add honey. Malabar Spinach: Benefits and How to Grow & Eat It, find extra fine grain Himalayan salt here, Flying Dragon Citrus Also Known As Hardy Orange, Wholesome & Naturally Sweetened Cranberry Sauce, A Healthy and Delicious Green Bean Casserole Recipe, Stuffing From Scratch with Homemade Bread Cubes, How To Make Natural Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer, 2 tablespoons butter (or try coconut oil for a different flavor). Debra is a master gardener, a certified herbalist, a natural living instructor and more. But it does have a somewhat slimy texture. More Posts You'll LoveFlying Dragon Citrus Also Known As Hardy OrangeThe Flying Dragon Citrus tree, also known as Hardy Orange and scientifically as Poncirus Trifoliata is a cold-hardy deciduous citrus shrub. I have to admit, I love my greens. You may also want to use some lemon, lime or orange juice in place of the vinegar for a more refreshing taste. PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for us to support our website activities, we may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for our endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this website. Thanks for getting to this before I could Helga! To make your vinaigrette even more summery, try adding seasonal fruit, like we have done in this recipe! The leaves and stem contain mucilage, so it can appear slimy when broken off the vine. For vinegars, the most basic vinegars are plain white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Enjoy Malabar spinach raw or mixed in a salad. This “slimy spinach” goes by several other names: New Zealand spinach and Malabar spinach are perhaps the most common. Sprouts will emerge after 2-3 weeks. Other common names include Vine Spinach, Red Vine Spinach, Creeping Spinach, and Ceylon Spinach. But in the heat of summer, lettuce, kale, collards, and chard all turn bitter, bolt, or dry out. If you rely solely upon this advice you do so at your own risk. Malabar spinach grows best in a sunny area and warm climate, and is a great summer vegetable. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week. The variety Alba has white flowers and green vines, while the variety Rubra has pinkish flowers and purplish red vines. Growth is slow in low temperatures resulting in low yields. Delicious cooked, Malabar spinach is not as slimy as some other greens. Steam until leaves are wilted and tender. The pH of the soil should be slightly alkaline, or around 7-8. Prevent the former problem by rotating this crop with corn or amaranth, and address the latter by removing all affected leaves. Unlike true spinach, which does better in the fall and spring, malabar spinach loves the heat of summer. For me, I don’t get that bitter flavor except for in the larger leaves. If you enjoy the taste of olive oil, you might opt for extra virgin oil with a fresh, grassy taste or even a smoked olive oil. Throughout tropical Asia and on the Indian subcontinent, the leaves and shoots of Malabar spinach are eaten raw and in stir fries, curries, and soups. The ratio should be three parts oil to one part vinegar (feel free to adjust slightly depending on the combination and your taste, but this is the basic formula). Serve warm. Even though it’s not a true spinach, it has the same taste. *If you do not have a blender, whisk ingredients together by hand. If so, share your experience! It is cooked like other spinach greens and provides a rich earthy flavor as well as being rich in minerals, proteins, and vitamins. Add sour cream or cheese. Debra recently started an organic herb farm in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Keep in mind, it's a little more "sturdy" than regular spinach, so it takes a little longer to wilt down. As a tropical plant, Malabar spinach requires consistent moisture, so water deeply and keep the soil around your plants covered with a 2-inch layer of mulch to minimize evaporation. Malabar spinach leaves are succulent and a bit slimy in a way similar to okra. Plant in well drained, rich soil in full sunlight. Add a small amount of water to a deep pan and heat on medium. A healthy, delicious green bean casserole recipe made from scratch! Drain off any remaining liquid. Keeping it contained is the best thing to do for ease of use. Then I came across malabar spinach – a versatile and healthy option that grows well in the summer. Feel free to use others that you may enjoy as well—red or white wine vinegar, rice vinegar (very mild) or balsamic. A Healthy and Delicious Green Bean Casserole RecipeA healthy, delicious green bean casserole recipe made from scratch! You will receive both educational newsletter emails, and promotional emails, at no cost to you. Flip. Just snip leaves and tender new stems 6-8 inches long with scissors or a knife.