Portulaca oleracea
Common Purslane
From a weed found in most gardens ---
to a lushious looking piece of greenery ---
To the wash basin ----
then enjoyed as a great yearly addition as a garden vegetable
along with another great former garden weed, Lambsquarter --- ( learn about it tutorial )
Portulaca oleracea - Common Purslane. A/K/A - Verdolaga, Pigweed, Little Hogweed or Pusley
DATE - June through September 2007.
FOUND - " I use it from my garden because I know there are no sprays used whatsoever.
WEATHER - Regular summer weather, nothing special needed but grows real good if the garden is watered.
This plant can be foraged from spring to fall. Gather it as needed, in the late afternoon rather than mornings.
Highest of all leafy vegetables in omega-3 fatty acids. Also nutritious for vitamin A and C.
Cook the stems and leaves and eat as potherb, like spinach.
Strip the little leaves, wash and use them as lettuce on a sandwich.
Save the stripped stems, steam them till hot and add them to cooked spaghetti noodles before the sauce is added.
You will have a plate with less pasta even though piled high.
Add the fresh little leaves to a salad.
Add either the chopped stems, the leaves, or both chopped up to stews and soups.
Also, the seed pods are great addition to stew providing chunkiness in addition to the thickening agent found in the plant.
