Ceylon or Malabar Spinach, Basella rubra or alba, is much easier to grow than English Spinach in warmer climates. It grows as a vine and produces large glossy green thick leaves. These leaves and tender stems can be eaten raw in salads or sandwiches or cooked as you would spinach in curries, pies, stews and so on. When cooked it becomes slightly gelatinous, making it a useful thickener in curries and stews, They longer it is cooked the more gelatinous it becomes therefore if this is not desired throw them in at the last minute and only cook them briefly.
The leaves are good sources of calcium, iron, and Vitamins A and C.
The red berries that form at the end of the season contain the seeds. They are fairly bland in flavour but make an excellent natural dark red food dye. for savoury or sweet dishes. They can also be used to dye fabric, wool, wood, easter eggs and even hair.
Ceylon spinach is easy to grow from seed or cuttings. Seedlings will often come up on their own and can be transplanted. They are attractive vines and can also be grown in a pot as a hanging plant.
They also work well grow along the fence where chickens can peck the leaves.
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