Another Great Summer Spinach - Egyptian Spinach
Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is growing in popularity as a summer vegetable in our part of the world. It is known under a variety of names: Molokhia/Molokheiya (and numerous other ways of spelling it) and salad mallow. Jew's mallow, jute mallow and West African sorrel to name just several. It is believed that it has been first discovered in Egypt prior to Christ and was an important staple food since the time of the Pharaohs. Molokheiya which is an Egyptian term meaning "vegetable for the king", is the Egyptian name for the soup. Wikipedia states that an ill Egyptian king around 6000BC requested hot soup, إنتاج تقاوى البرسيم الحجازي and was healed through the consumption of hot soup on a daily basis. Cleopatra could have also savored the same soup. Egyptian Spinach, along with its numerous close relatives is found throughout Africa, India, and several other parts of Asia. It is located in all tropical and subtropical areas of the world.
It is cultivated as an annual. It will grow to around a meter in height, gets small yellow flowers, has edible seed pods as well as edible leaves that can be continually harvested. It is extremely tough and grows rapidly. Being a relative of okra many of the same growing conditions apply, loves the heat and is able to handle dry and wet conditions (not the waterlogged) however it doesn't appreciate the shade.
large Egyptian spinach plant growing on lattices in green home
Do you have a desire to grow some? It will grow in any soil type and doesn't care about the pH but obviously prefers fertile moist soil. Pots are also a possibility. Make your soil ready in your regular manner and then plant seeds in the exact spot where they will grow The ideal time for planting is between the seasons of spring and fall. Egyptian spinach seeds sprout better if soaked in hot water before planting for a minimum of few minutes. Isabel Shipard recommends soaking for at least 12 hours. The time to pick leaves is when the plant is about 40 cm high. The seeds that mature on the plant, and then go to the ground and will remain dormant until next year. Egyptian spinach is almost pest and disease-free. The leaves can be shared by grasshoppers and caterpillars, but will not be affected with the red spider mites. The seeds are currently available through BOGI seeds.
The leaves are very high in proteins, minerals, and vitamins. The younger leaves can be used for sandwiches or salads, while older leaves can either be dried or cooked. Utilize leaves the same way you would spinach. The leaves can be used in Egypt in a soup that is traditional, with garlic, إنتاج تقاوى البرسيم الحجازي coriander and even meat. In other areas it is made into a stew that includes rice, cassava, and chicken meat. There are numerous recipes for this plant. The leaves can be dried and then ground into tea. Once the tea has been prepared, you can keep them in a container and use them to make further stews or soups. It is sold in Japan through health food shops as a healthy and nutritious tea. Young seed pods are utilized the same way as the okra.
The health advantages of Egyptian spinach have been promoted since the time of the Pharaohs. It is a tea that will improve the immune system. Tea made from leaves is believed to help in the child's birth and increase the production of milk by mothers. It is also used as to treat sore eyes or rashes, cuts, and abrasions.
Due to the length of their stalks, which are strong and long The Corchorus genus has many members that are able to be used to create Jute. Jute was used throughout many centuries to make coarse yarn. It was later used as rope, and also as packing fabric. The tallest, unbranched stems were ideal for this. The stems were submerged in vegetable matter for several days in order to allow the fibres to turn brown. The fibres were easily removed, then cleaned and dried. The fibre is also used to make paper in some areas. Corchorus Oltorius or Egyptian spinach is most commonly used as a leaf vegetable , whereas certain of its cousins are better used for the production of jute.