Celosia, Sokoyokoto / Lagos Spinach (Organic)

Celosia argentea var. spicata. 60-70 days.

An important leafy green from Nigeria and West Africa that is becoming more well known in North America as an easy to grow, culturally significant food. Used in a similar fashion to Callaloo amaranth greens and is similarly heat resistant. Culinary quality is best before flowering and when leaves are young. Most often cooked into soups and stews, and – as the name implies – is a great spinach substitute during the heat of summer. But don’t be fooled – Sokoyokoto is not simply a substitute! It has a delicious unique flavor that is a crucial ingredient for the Nigerian stew Efo Riro and is one of the most important greens throughout West Africa.

In addition to its culinary uses, Sokoyokoto also produces beautifully ornamental blooms which earn it a place not only in our Greens category, but with Flowers too! Spike shaped inflorescences are an intense ruby-pink and make great cut flowers. Left to stand in the garden, they make a fun and colorful hedge that attracts myriads of beneficial insects. It is a joy to see all the diverse pollinators that visit the plants, including the occasional dragonfly! If left unharvested, plants will grow to 5’ tall and develop into a Christmas tree like shape. Very resistant to insect damage and plant diseases that can be a problem for amaranth greens in hot climates. Our original seed comes to us from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and we have selected it in our fields to be more adapted to our cooler Pacific Northwest Climate. Easy to control but it can be a little weedy if allowed to set seed – we have patches volunteering around the farm. Aka. Efo Shoko or ṣọkọ̀ yòkòtò.