Amaranth, a pseudo-grain, was a staple food source for the Aztecs & Incas. Amaranth seeds are a great addition to emergency home food bulk storage.
Simmered like other grains, these healthy "superfood" seeds cook up with a porridge-like texture and can be popped in a skillet like popcorn for a nutty flavour and crunchy texture. Like quinoa, amaranth is a good protein source and is gluten-free. Amaranth is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids. And it's high in protein too, about 26 grams of protein per cup. Amaranth contains dietary fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron. One cup of uncooked amaranth has 31 percent of the RDA for calcium, 14 percent for vitamin C, and a whopping 82 percent for iron. But perhaps the best part is amaranth can be popped into what look like tiny popcorn kernels with a nutty taste that's popular in Mexico as a topping for toast and other foods. Popped amaranth is a treat that's worth the trial! Amaranth is also delicious in pilafs such as tabbouleh, cooked on the stove top into a thick, creamy breakfast porridge, mixed into pilafs, added to baked goods. sprinkled on granola or used to add nutrition to homemade snack bars. Store whole amaranth seeds in an airtight container and in a dark spot for up to a year.
