I love being able to grow food in my garden and make delicious creations in the kitchen.
Have you ever made Amaranth Tacos? It's easy to use Amaranth leaves instead of tortillas to make tacos!
First, let's decide what we want in our tacos?
For this particular recipe I used Red Garnet Amaranth, scallop squash, onions, garlic and basil.
Another option is Red Garnet Amaranth, Cilantro, onions, peppers and tomatoes.
Before we get to the recipe, we have to grow our ingredients!
Growing Amaranth from Seed to Harvest
Amaranth: 60-80 days from seed to leaves. Amaranth seeds are very tiny so they should be sown just barely under the soil. I have even "tossed" a packet of seeds onto the soil at times and the seeds have germinated very well. Soil should be moist but not waterlogged for optimal germination. Once planted, Amaranth seeds germinate in 3 to 10 days. These heat tolerant plants are very hardy but I still prefer to direct sow instead of transplant.
Growing & Harvesting Patty Pan Squash
Scallop Squash: 42-65 days from seed to harvest. Plant seeds ½ inches deep and six inches apart. Thin out after seedlings after they emerge, but will need at least two leaves to keep growing. Mature bush summer squash plants should be 20 inches apart in rows that are spaced 2 feet apart.
Onion: 95-110 days from seed to harvest. Plant onion seeds about 3/8 inch deep and 1/2 inches apart. Rows should be about 15 inches apart. Once seedlings emerge, then to about every 3inches.
Growing Basil from Seed to Harvest
Basil: 45-60 days from seed to harvest.Seeds should be sown less than 1/4 inch deep in moist, well-drained soil.
Basil seeds usually germinate in as few as 5-7 days. Make successive sowings of basil seeds for continuous summer harvests. Basil can grow in full sun as as little as 6 hours of sun. Space Basil plants about 12 inches apart or interplant basil between larger plants such as Tomatoes and Peppers.
Growing Cilantro from Seed
Cilantro: 30-45 days from seed to harvest. Plant the seeds 1/4 inch deep. Cilantro planting should be staggered throughout the year, mostly during Spring and Fall. Once cilantro reaches 2 inches tall, thin the plants to 3 to 4 inches apart. Cilantro grows best in crowded conditions because the plant’s leaves will shade the roots and prevent the plant from bolting.
Growing Peppers from Seed to Harvest
Peppers: 80+ days from seed to harvest. I recommend soaking your seeds in water for up to 24 hours. Whether you direct sow or plant in containers, plant pepper seeds approx 1/4 inch below the soil. Pepper seeds germinate in as few as 7- 21 days.
Growing Heirloom Tomatoes from Seed
Tomatoes: 80+ days from seed to harvest. I recommend soaking your seeds in water for up to 24 hours. Whether you direct sow or plant in containers, plant tomato seeds approx 1/4 inch below the soil. Tomato Seeds can germinate in as few as 3 days (when I soak) and as many as 14 days.
You can grow all of these ingredients in-ground, in raised beds and even in containers.
Start with the ingredients that take the longest to mature: Onions, Tomatoes and peppers. Once these 3 are established, start planting Amaranth seeds. Once your Amaranth is established, plant Basil and Cilantro seeds
AMARANTH TACO RECIPE
Ingredients:
large Amaranth leaves, rinsed and dried
scallop squash, chopped
onion, chopped
garlic, chopped
basil leaves, chopped,
Pepper, chopped
tomato, chopped
salt and pepper (optional)
coco aminos (optional)
**If you like it spicy, try using cayenne, Tabasco or even Orange Habaneros**
Directions:
You can use all of the ingredients raw. However, I like t cook my scallop squash and garlic with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper. Once these ingredients are cooked, I add to a bowl, add the rest of my ingredients the drizzle with coco aminos and toss to coat.
Take your Amaranth leaves and add your ingredients to the center.
Super easy and delicious!
