GÉANT DE BERTOUA

Corhorus olitorius cv. Géant de Bertoua

Cameroonian selection of the ancient crop known primarily as jute in United States. This superior variety is grown exclusively for the production of food. Large nutritious leaves may be eaten fresh, cooked, or dried and reconstituted during the winter months. Slightly mucilaginous, they are perfect for soup, and will give body to sauces.

If you've grown other strains of this species and been disappointed, these seeds are worth trying. Sometimes listed as molokhia, the species has been grown as a food crop for thousands of years. However, there is a great deal of diversity within the species, as some plants have been selected solely for fiber production.

Molokhia is also the name for a dish prepared with the leaves of this species, and there are innumerable ways to prepare it. I prefer the leaves finely chopped (using a food processor if you have one) and made into a fragrant garlicky sauce with lots of parsley, coriander and cumin. But the leaves may also be prepared like any other greens, gently wilted in a pan of bacon fat or coconut oil.

Sow these seeds directly into warm garden soil in full sun when all danger of frost has passed. Plants grow very quickly in warm weather, and are usually ready to harvest in just a few weeks after planting. They will become huge and fibrous if allowed to stand in the garden much longer than that. Best to harvest the plants young, when no more than 2'. At least two or three harvest can be had from the same plants in a hot summer.

Leaves can be blanched and frozen, but this process will remove many of the nutritious minerals from the leaves. Use fresh, or clean and dry thoroughly (using a dehydrator or oven on the lowest setting if necessary) before placing in an airtight jar. Use as needed throughout the winter. Toss into soups willy nilly or reconsitute with broth and puree into a sauce with garlic, herbs and spices.

These plants love heat, and in regions where summer nights are cool and misty, they might benefit from a little hoop house. It isn't absolutely necessary, but plants will be slower to grow in the open field and thus may only produce one good harvest. Still very much worth trying if you're a fan of nutritious greens.

Packet contains at least 100 seeds.