Celosia argentea
DESCRIPTION
Tender mild-flavored cooking green that loves heat and doesn’t mind drought. Grows 6-8 feet tall, produces hot pink flower spikes used ornamentally in fresh and dried flower arranging.
PROVENANCE
This seed has been grown in Oshkosh since 2020 from seed originally purchased from Smarter by Nature. Helen at the African Groccery on Murdock inspired our trial of this Nigerian vegetable that grows really well in Oshkosh!
GROWING RECOMMENDATIONS
Direct sow, May-June in full sun. Needs protection against rabbits.
SEED SAVING INSTRUCTIONS
Harvest seed when shiny black seeds fall from flower spikes that have elongated and turned white from pink.
CULINARY USES
Harvest side branches of tender young leaves before flowers develop. After washing, chop stems and leaves to prepare them to be sautéed with aromatics and spice, use in soup, stew, casserole, pasta or grain dishes, etc.
PRESERVING THE HARVEST
Blanch entire side shoots (leaves and stems), chop, and freeze.