{"product_id":"chinsaga-cleome-leaf","title":"Chinsaga (Cleome Leaf)","description":"\u003cp\u003eRelated to ornamental Cleome, chinsaga is shorter (around 3 ft. high), bushier, and grown for its edible leaves. It is a bitter green, sometimes compared to mustard, and is full of nutrients and vitamins, and high in protein. A few of its many common names are shona cabbage, African cabbage, spiderwhisp, cat's whiskers, and wild spider flower. Originating in Africa, it is a rapidly spreading plant that has become established throughout Asian and American tropics. It is used as an anti-inflammatory herb, and is often eaten by pregnant and breast-feeding women. In much of Sub-Saharan Africa, its leaves and shoots are eaten boiled or in stews, and in Uganda and Tanzania it is often prepared with groundnut paste. In Thailand and Northern Malaysia, chinsaga is fermented in rice water and served as a pickled condiment known as phak sian dong and jeruk maman, respectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur first chinsaga seeds came from a plant shared with us by Joseph Mbura who grows some of his traditional Kenyan vegetables in a garden across from the high school where he teaches in Roxborough, Philadelphia. Our seeds now come from Norah Makori in Minnesota. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 5px solid #ffeea2; padding: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; background-color: #ffeea230;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKisii Traditional Vegetables (Chinsaga) Recipe\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(Serves 4)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIngredients\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"columns: 2; -webkit-columns: 2; -moz-columns: 2;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 bunches of Chinsaga (young leaves)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 large chopped tomatoes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 large chopped onion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCooking oil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 tbsp salt (or to taste)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProcess\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col style=\"margin-left: 20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemove the leaves from the stalk, wash, and put in the cooking pot. Use young leaves (older leaves take longer to cook and traditionally pumpkin is added to tenderize). Add water to cover the vegetables and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnce chinsaga has cooked, drain excess water and set aside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn another cooking pot add oil and heat, then add onions and saute until golden brown, then add tomatoes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAllow the tomatoes to cook until soft while stirring to mix then add the drained chinsaga and stir again to mix.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd salt and stir again and let it cook for 10-15 mins. (Optional: cook with a half cup of heavy cream)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemove from heat and serve with hot Ugali (a favourite Kisii maize meal starch) or other starch of your choice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnjoy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThanks to Nia Nyamweya and the entire Nyamweya family for sharing this recipe from Kisii, Kenya.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~900\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per bulk packet:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e~1800\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 85% on 02\/16\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Norah Makori","offers":[{"title":"Regular Packet: 900 seeds","offer_id":44606372282606,"sku":"CLEO-001","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bulk Packet: 1800 seeds","offer_id":44606372315374,"sku":"CLEO-001-BULK","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/Chinsaga1.jpg?v=1618520101","url":"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.sbs\/products\/chinsaga-cleome-leaf","provider":"Truelove Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}