For vegan lovers: 5 must-try greens packed with nutrition
What's the story
Thanks to their incredible nutritional value and unique flavors, African vegetables are becoming a popular choice in vegan meals around the world. The vegetables, which are often packed with vitamins and minerals, also present a variety of culinary possibilities. As the world increasingly embraces plant-based diets, these African greens are becoming kitchen staples worldwide. Here are five such vegetables making waves in vegan cuisine.
Drive 1
Baobab leaves: A nutrient powerhouse
Known for their high vitamin C content and antioxidant properties, baobab leaves can be used fresh or dried and added to soups, stews, or salads. The leaves' slightly tangy flavor enhances various dishes. Apart from vitamin C, baobab leaves also provide calcium and potassium, making them a valuable addition to any health and wellness-focused diet.
Drive 2
Amaranth greens: Versatile and nutritious
Amaranth greens are also popular for being versatile in cooking as well as highly nutritious. These greens are rich in iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C, and can be steamed or sauteed as a side dish or added to soups and curries. Their mild taste makes them blend easily with other ingredients while adding essential nutrients to the meal.
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Jute mallow: A traditional favorite
Jute mallow is another leafy vegetable used in African traditional cuisine, such as in stews. The mucilaginous texture of the plant when cooked thickens soups naturally, without the need for other thickeners. Jute mallow is a great source of vitamins A, C, and iron. Its unique texture lends depth to vegan recipes while also providing essential dietary fiber.
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Cowpea leaves: Protein-rich greenery
Cowpea leaves provide incredible protein content than other leafy greens, making them perfect for plant-based diets looking for protein sources other than legumes/nuts. They also provide the essential amino acids required by the body, in addition to vitamins B6 and K1, as well as folate, which aid in maintaining health, particularly during pregnancy stages among women worldwide today.
Drive 5
Okra: The slimy delight
Okra isn't just easy to grow but also loved because of how slimy it can get, making it a natural thickener when cooked into soups and stews. This makes the beloved vegetable ideal for vegans looking to whip up something hearty without artificial additives/preservatives, found elsewhere within the food industry today. Okras also offer good dietary fiber with vitamin C, K, thereby aiding digestive system function while boosting immunity levels too.