Mpiru

Mpiru

Mpiru (mm-PEE-roo)

Amaranth Greens

Prep Time 10 min
📈 Difficulty Easy
👥 Servings
4
🔥 Calories 55 kcal

Wild amaranth leaves cooked with onion and tomato, a free and nutritious green found growing across Malawian farmlands.

Nutrition & Info

55 kcal per serving
Protein 4.0g
Carbs 7.0g
Fat 1.5g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

saucepan wooden spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: small bowl

Garnishes: tomato dice

Accompaniments: nsima

Instructions

  1. 1

    Wash amaranth leaves thoroughly.

  2. 2

    Sauté onion in oil.

  3. 3

    Add tomatoes and cook 5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Add leaves, cover, cook 8 minutes until tender.

  5. 5

    Season with salt.

💡

Did You Know?

Mpiru grows wild and is gathered free from fields, making it an important food security crop.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • saucepan
  • wooden spoon

Garnishing

tomato dice

Accompaniments

nsima

The Story Behind Mpiru

Mpiru, or wild amaranth, has been gathered and consumed across sub-Saharan Africa for thousands of years, long before the development of formal agriculture. In Malawi, the tradition of collecting these nutritious wild greens from farmlands and roadsides represents one of the oldest continuous food practices in the region. The simple preparation with onion and tomato provides essential vitamins and minerals, and mpiru remains an important free food source for rural communities.

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