Aromanian Wild Amaranth

Locally called shtir, wild amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) or pigweed is an edible wild plant that has been traditionally gathered by people from the Aromanian community living in the mountainous region of Mokra in Southeastern Albania.

This annual flowering plant bears tuft-like, reddish, and odorless flowers that typically bloom between July and September, while its leaves are green and oblong-lanceolate. An excellent source of essential nutrients such as iron and vitamins A and C, the plant has primarily been collected for its edible leaves, which are usually cooked until tender and used as stuffing in traditional pies such as byrek (also known as börek).

Although this wild plant has always been and remains a staple of the Aromanians' diet, the local Albanian population has never used wild amaranth for food nor any other purpose.