Glossary

Amaranth was a sacred food of the Aztecs and, in Asia, varieties of Amaranthus tricolor have been grown as a green vegetable since the beginning of recorded history. It is a tall plant with broad leaves that produces many thousands of tiny seeds. Both leaves and seeds are edible. The greens have a good, slightly sweet flavour and can be used both cooked and in salads. The seeds are used as a cereal or can be ground into flour. Amaranth seeds and flour can be found in health-food shops as well as in some Caribbean and Asian shops.