Amaranth Festival at Sonoma Garden Park

Amaranth is high in protein, gluten-free and has plenty of fiber. A seed-saving workshop and amaranth dinner will be Friday, Sept. 9 at Sonoma Garden Park.|

Corn, potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers and pumpkins – to say nothing of pineapples, peanuts and chocolate – are among the familiar foods that were unknown in the Old World before 1492. Without them our diets would be much poorer, and our palates less sophisticated.

Add to that list amaranth, a seed grain that the pre-Columbian Americans regarded as an essential part of their diet. It’s even more nutritious than other more familiar grains, high in calcium, iron, B vitamins and other elements, and a complete source of protein. It’s also gluten-free and has plenty of fiber.

Although amaranth is still little known, the Sonoma Ecology Center and End World Hunger 2030 are hoping to educate Sonomans to this so-called “super-food” at a workshop and dinner on Friday, Sept. 9, at the Sonoma Garden Park. On hand will be a group of Maya Indian delegates from Rabinal, Guatemala, who will teach participants how to grow this highly nutritious food crop, and how to save the seeds to sell or share with others.

The workshop costs $5 and begins at 4 p.m., and the dinner begins at 6 and costs $25. The festival gives attendees a chance to meet the Guatemalan guests and presenters, and enjoy a festive meal and music from the Batacha Quartet until 7 p.m.

The food is provided by End World Hunger 2030 and prepared by Teen Services Lovin Oven and friends. All proceeds go to the Qachuu Aloom Farmers Association; tickets are available online at brownpapertickets.com/event/2595791.

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