====== Egyptian Spinach ======
===== Botanical Information =====
^Botanical Information^^
^Order | Malvales|
^Family | Malvaceae|
^Genus | Corchorus|
^Common Name | Egyptian Spinach, Molokhia, Jute Mallow, Jews' Mallow|
^Species | olitorius|

===== Maturity days =====
  * 45-60 days

===== Planting Months =====
^Planting months^^^^^^^^^^^^
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|X    |X    |X    |X    | X   | X   | X   |X    |X    |X    |X    |X    |

{{tag>
january
february
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
}}

===== Permaculture uses =====
^Permaculture uses^^^
| Usage 1| Usage 2 | Usage 3 |
| Vegetable| Chop & drop| Bee food|

===== Growing condition comments =====
^Growing Condition ^Comment^
|Drought Tolerant |Moderate to high|
|Humidity tolerant |Yes, well-suited for Townsville's humid climate|
|Planting area |Garden bed, raised bed, container|
|Sunlight |Full sun, tolerates partial shade in hot Townsville summers|

===== Photos =====
^Photos^
| {{:wiki:plants:eqyptian_spinach_1.jpg?200|}}| 
===== Recipes =====

|{{topic>egyptian_spinach_recipe&simplelist&nodate&nouser}}|

===== Short comments =====
Heat-loving, fast-growing leafy green ideal for Townsville's tropical climate.

===== General comments =====
=== Ecology ===
Egyptian spinach thrives in Townsville's hot, humid climate. It's well-adapted to tropical conditions and can be grown year-round, with peak performance during the warmer months.

=== Uses ===
Primarily used as a nutritious leafy vegetable in soups, stews, and salads. Can be used as a chop-and-drop mulch in the garden.

=== Food ===
Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, while older leaves are best cooked. Rich in vitamins and minerals.

Side Dishes

  *     Ohitashi: Quickly boil molokhia and serve as a simple Japanese side dish
  *     Sautéed Molokhia: Fry the leaves with coriander, garlic, and chili peppers for a flavorful side

Main Course Additions

  *     Pasta Enhancement: Incorporate chopped molokhia into pasta dishes for a nutritional boost.

Breakfast Options

  *     Smoothies: Blend fresh or frozen molokhia leaves into your morning smoothie for added nutrients.
  *     Egg Dishes: Add chopped molokhia to omelets or frittatas.

Salads and Raw Preparations

  *     Green Salads: Mix young, tender molokhia leaves into your favorite salad for a nutritional punch.
  *     Wraps and Sandwiches: Use fresh molokhia leaves as a nutrient-rich alternative to lettuce in wraps or sandwiches.

Dried Form

  *     Soup Thickener: Use dried molokhia leaves to thicken soups and stews




=== Planting Depth ===
Sow seeds 6mm deep in well-draining soil.

=== Inoculant ===
Not required.

=== Seed Saving Tips ===
Allow plants to flower and produce seed pods. Harvest pods when they turn brown and dry on the plant. In Townsville's climate, seed production is possible year-round.

===== Tags =====
{{tag>
Malvales
Malvaceae
Corchorus
Egyptian_Spinach
Annual
Bee_food
Herb
Full_sun
Vegetable
Garden_bed
chop_and_drop
edible_leaves
townsville_summer
}}