Tree Spinach - Chenopodium giganteum

Tree Spinach is a large annual plant with a bush-like appearance, also known as Amaranthus-coloured goosefoot due to its young magenta-coloured leaves. Considered as a forgotten vegetable, it is a decorative, vigorous, and undemanding plant. It is cultivated for its young leaves used in mesclun salads and its mature leaves that can be consumed raw in salads or cooked like spinach. The seeds can be prepared like rice or quinoa. It is planted in spring, in partial shade or shade, or even in the sun in the north, in ordinary soil, even limestone.

Chenopodium giganteum belongs to the amaranth family according to classifications. It is an annual plant native to northern India, Nepal, and the Chinese province of Sichuan. It was introduced to France in the 19th century. In the course of a year, it forms a ramified bush that easily reaches 1.50m (5ft) in height, even 2m (7ft).

The plant has numerous branches that end in small, hairy, and decorative leaves, ranging in color from pink to bright red. The mature leaves are green. They are diamond-shaped to oval and measure up to 20cm (8in) in length and 16cm (6in) in width. Flowering begins in August. It takes the form of terminal inflorescences in greenish panicles. After wind pollination, numerous small seeds measuring 1.5mm (0in) in diameter are formed, sought after by birds. This goosefoot self-seeds spontaneously.

It is an original and tasty medicinal, ornamental, and vegetable plant that can be prepared in a thousand ways: young leaves or mature leaves in small quantities can be consumed raw in spring salads, in mesclun salads, in Japanese tempura, quickly cooked in a wok, or even in a savory tart with small pieces of goat cheese or salmon. The leaves contain oxalic acid and saponins, which are mostly eliminated during the cooking process, especially if boiled for 2 minutes at 100°C (212°F).

Harvest: Leaf harvest should be done according to their growth and your needs. In summer, the leaves become too tough to be consumed, but the young flower stalk can be enjoyed in the same way as asparagus.

Storage: The leaves do not keep well in the refrigerator as they tend to soften. It is best to consume them a few hours after harvesting.

Gardener's tip: Prune the young plants to give them a bush-like shape. The further south, the more the tree spinach will be sheltered from the scorching sun.