Malabar Spinach


Malabar Spinach Tendrils and Leaves [Ceylon / Indian / Surinam / Chinese / Vietnamese Spinach; Broad Bologi, Poi Baagi, Calaloo, Buffalo Spinach; Mong Toi (Viet); Paag-Prung, Phak plang yai, phalpang (Thai); Phakkang, Pak pang (Laos); Alugbati, Dundula, Grana, Libato (Philippines); Niviti (Sri Lanka); Gendola, Remayong, Tembayung (Malay); Genjerot, Jingga, Gendola (Indonesia); Saan Choy (Cantonese); Shan Tsoi, Luo Kai, Shu Chieh, Lo Kwai (China); Poi (India); Pui Shak (Bengali); Kodip PasaLi (Tamil); Tsuru Murasa Kai (Japan); Amunututu (Yoruba); Gborongi (Igbo); Basella alba]

Not related to regular spinach but rather to cactus and purslane (order Caryophyllales (Carnations)), this plant has a flavor vaguely similar to spinach, but more earthy and much milder due to low oxalic acid content. The leaves are thick, almost succulent, and actually quite filling. One cultivar, "Rubra", has red stems.

While regular spinach is a cool temperate plant which doesn't like the tropics at all, Malabar Spinach is a tropical vine. A fast growing perennial, it is harvested continuously by cutting new growth. It can be grown as an annual in warmer temperate regions.

More on Carnations.

This plant is used throughout southern India, Southeast Asia, southern China and as far north as Japan. In India it is used in curries, it's mucilaginous character acting as a thickener. In Southeast Asia it is briefly cooked in stir fries and in soups. It also appears in tropical African cuisine as a leafy green vegetable.

Buying:

  Malabar Spinach is now fairly common in Asian markets in California, and can sometimes be found at farmer's markets if there is an Asian participant.

Storing & Growing:

  This plant does not store well in the fridge and should be used within 2 days. If you need to keep it longer, just cut 1/2 inch off the bottom of the stems and place it in a jar with fairly deep water. It will keep a long time, and will start to root in less than a week. Rooted plants can be planted and will grow vigorously with normal care. You can cut some off now and then for cooking.

Yield:

  1 pound from a typical bag yielded 13 ounces when all stems larger than 1/4 inch were discarded, for a yield of 81%.

Cooking:

  For stir fries and the like cook as for regular spinach, in just a little oil. Free water on the leaves from washing is sufficient to get it cooking. Stir frequently and stop cooking as soon as the leaves are limp and of a uniform cooked color. Do not overcook or it will become slimy and leave a metallic aftertaste.

In India Malabar Spinach is used as a thickener similar to the way okra is, so it's cooked much longer in curries, sambars and the like, and with a lot more other ingredients.

Nutrition:

  Malabar Spinach is high in Vitamin A and C as well as Iron and Calcium. It is low in calories but has a good protein to calories ratio, and plenty of soluble fiber.

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