Malabar spinach, or basella alba, is a nutritious, easy-to-grow vegetable that is typically found in asia and africa. this healthy vegetable has many common names, including basella alba, vine spinach, climbing spinach, red vine spinach, and buffalo spinach. malabar spinach is a soft-stemmed, fast-growing vine that is capable of growing past an impressive 30 feet in length. basella alba can come in two varieties—red and green.
malabar spinach grows well under full sunlight in humid, hot environments. it is native to tropical asia. among many dishes, it is often used in soups, and can help thicken texture in various foods. in many regions, the plant is also used as an ingredient in curry. in chinese cuisine, malabar spinach has many health benefits and is typically used in stir-frys, soups, and other dishes. in other cultures it is often combined with crabmeat to make a nutritious soup.