Quinoa anyone?

[pinkfox]

Since my new diet isgoing to severly limit grain, im looking into options...Quinoa is on the OK list and I like it...but talk about expensive.
im thinking about trying to grow some.
looking online im seeing its good zone 4 and up so that shouldn't be a problem, but wondering if anyone has any experience growing quinoa (or millet as im told they are similar)
also trying to figure out exactly how much space id need to dedicate to a quinoa bed for 2 people...(most o my family don't like quinoa so that helps LOL!)

Would love input and suggestions if anyone has any.

 

[Hinotori]

I've thought about trying to grow it here as well. I know you have to wash the seeds really well before you can eat them. There is a lot of saponin on them. The stuff you buy in the store comes pre-washed.

My husband will eat quinoa if it's mixed with something else, he doesn't like it on it's own. I found that it goes quite well mixed with sweet corn (though that is a grain and you're limiting grains).

 

[baymule]

I bit the bullet and bought a 50# bag and vacuum sealed bags of it and packed in a bucket. I like quinoa, but it's not DH favorite. I put it in bread, use for hot cereal breakfast, soups, and in place of rice. I was going to post the site where I bought mine, but it's gone now.

 

[Marianne]

I'm ordering some macaroni that's made with quinoa (Azure Standard). My daughter bought some and said that she couldn't tell that there was much difference between that and regular mac. Azure also has spaghetti and lasagna noodles made with quinoa instead of flour. Have you checked to see if there's a drop point close to you?

 

[pinkfox]

I will have to check, I use quinoa a lot but its pretty expensive here in tn and budget is an issue...(and high protein, low carb deits arnt always budget friendly, so im trying to figure out ways to make it a lot more affordable since thatll be pretty much my subsitite for rice pasta and breadcrumbs....ill also be growing quite a bit of spaghetti squash lol.

I make a great turkey quinoa meatloaf, and it makes a nice tabouleh, or in salads, and im hoping itll replace my oatmeal on cold mornings when I don't want eggs lol.
I figue growing a patch would probably save me money (but obviously add time) in the long run...

 

[moolie]

Bumping this for you, as I'm also interested in reading about anyone's experiences growing quinoa--we use it a lot, and fortunately our local Co-op grocery store puts the organic quinoa on sale about twice a year so I can stock up. But it would be great to grow it ourselves

 

[so lucky]

Just wondering how you would wash the grain. any ideas?

 

[Hinotori]

Wire sieve and rinse it really good while stirring with one hand until water runs clear. The instructions I have in one of my books said to put in a bowl and fill with water, stir, and pour off water. Repeat until water stays clear and no soapy bubbles.

 

[moolie]

I put it in a wire sieve and soak it in a bowl of water for 5 minutes, drain and rinse, repeat 3 times--works great, no bitter taste