Why Does the FDA Call This Omega-3-Rich Green a Weed?
Purslane belongs in your diet! This abundant “weed” is a deliciously sour green that makes a wonderful addition to salads, stir fries, vegetable dishes, soups, and salsas. It pairs nicely with citrus and melon. It’s a tasty complement to pork, fish, and protein-rich beans such as lentils.
Purslane is the richest source of Omega-3 fatty acids of any green, leafy vegetable. Interestingly, purslane contains the EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) form of Omega-3, which is rare for a plant source of fatty acids. Purslane is also naturally high in magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, and iron. Pretty incredible, isn’t it!
Though commonly used in many dishes in many countries the world over, purslane has yet to catch on in the States. Also called pigweed or hogweed, this succulent leaf stands up in stews and soups, yet also goes well with fresh cheeses like mozzarella or cottage cheese due to its salty, sour, zesty flavor.
Purslane is rich in the anti-mutagenic antioxidants betaxanthins and betacyanins. It helps to reduce inflammation, constipation, and is beneficial to the urinary system. And purslane is a must for joint health!
Increasingly, purslane can be found at farmers’ markets and specialty grocers. But it’s even popping up in regular grocery stores these days, too. Ask for it!
Further reading:
Vegetables that reduce inflammation and joint pain!
More interesting vegetables you may not have tried!
Ten delicious, indulgent, flavorful carbs that you can eat every day!
Subscribe to Mark’s Daily Apple feeds
Posted By: Worker Bee
(
I’ve never tried this, you got me interested, for sure. I just put it on my list, good stuff! I’ll be hunting it down!
Purslane is really distinctive and really good. If you like rocket (arugula) and things like capers, you will love it. It is SO good for you, too. It’s a super green!
It’s frustrating to read about interesting veggies here and then having absolutely no luck finding them locally.
I just started a garden in my backyard and it is coming up everywhere..I might juice it. You can order seeds online
This is a weed. Look in your garden.
“Extending the Table: The World Community Cookbook” has several recipes that call for purslane. There are many other countries, especially in the third world, that do not disdain it.
I’ve known this weed since I was about 8 years old (I’m now 52). I think it was my father who told me that it was edible, but I never did more than sample a leaf now and then, enjoying its sour taste. Now, as soon as I get home from work, I’m going to take my two little boys out in the back yard, find some, put it in a pot, and bring it inside for the Winter! Thanks, Mark!
Warren, interesting. I haven’t had it much, but I’m all for the Omega 3′s in any form we can get. Around here the kids munch on something they call sour grass; it’s too sour for my old taste buds.
Well, we did get out there and find a plant, but it was difficult. My theory is that it’s quite sensitive to frost (we’ve had a couple of light ones so far) and that most of the plants have dropped their leaves and gone dormant, making it almost impossible to find among the still-green grass.
Just as we were about to give up, my wife found a large plant that was mostly stems, with only a few tiny leaves. It’s sitting in a pot on the windowsill in the kitchen now. As weedy as it is, I don’t doubt that it will make a speedy recovery.
If you can’t find Purslane, or don’t like its taste, I found this company online that sells concentrated purslane in supplements, powder, and liquid drops!! http://www.naturalplantation.com
[[naturalplantation.com]] Holy cr@p, for a weed that stuff’s expensive!
Poking back through the Smart Fuel section I found this and I’m intrigued. I’ve been pulling this stuff out of my garden and tossing it out with the other weeds all summer, trying to keep it from choking out all the other vegetables. Never once considered it might be edible. I’m going to pull up a big bunch of it when I get home and see if I can come up with some new recipes.
You can order purslane seeds at http://www.seedsofchange.com and grow it in your garden.
To consume purslane, you can make a green smoothie by blending it with fruits.
I made one the other day and my son,15, told me he felt incredibly sharp at school that day.
Do anyone of you know any other greens rich in omega 3?
This year my garden is loaded with the purslane “weed”. I am having the county agent to positively ID it for me and if he gives me the go ahead it will come off the “weed” list and on the garden veggie list. So far it is growing better than anything else in there.
2 questions: 1. If it is so good for you why is it not consumed more in the US (you dont hear about it on Dr OZ.)
2. Is there a market for it? Cost?
Thanks’ Tea
@Tea, I’m speculating here, but to q1: there are many, many healthy & delicious greens that people eat around the world, but not in the states. To generalize, we’re not particularly adventurous, and many Americans are not very close to the land. How many people do you know who actually eat what’s in season? That doesn’t mean it can’t or shouldn’t be done.
q2: even in Philly, where there are many adventurous locavores, I haven’t seen it for sale. It’s tough to market – folks like to buy what they already know. And since it grows on roadsides, field edges, and sidewalks in most places I’ve been… I pick my own!
Purslane used to be eaten a lot in my home country, Greece, up to 20-25 years ago. It was eaten from ancient times and it was known for how good it was for the health.
Unfortunately, these days extremely few Greek people eat this food, mostly older people, and in villages only. In fact, the Greek word for the plant, γλυστρίδα, is now used to make fun of people who talk too much! So the plant now is used more as a joke in common language, rather than a food!
Just this summer while visiting Greece, I saw both her and my aunt next door removing purslane from their vegetable gardens and treating it as a weed. At least my aunt actually gave it to her chickens, my mom threw it away in the garbage.
If only I knew what I know now…
How much EPA does this really have? I’m guessing probably not enough for vegetarians and vegans to get adequate EPA levels in their blood.
Bad news for vegetarians and vegans. Purslane only has 0.01mg/g of EPA which is too little to replace meats. It has a lot, but only when compared to other plant sources that have zero.
Most of the omega-3 in purslane the ALA (useless) one.
Purslane has been used in Chinese medicine apparently to treat conditions like infections, genito-urinary bleeding, and constipation.
In Chinese, it’s called “马齿苋” or “horse tooth amaranth”.
This stuff comes up in my yard anywhere it possibly can. The cracks in the sidewalks, everywhere! It is my understanding that a lot of what we think of as weeds were originally brought here by people as they immigrated, bringing useful plants from their homelands, unsure of what might be here when they arrived. Good to know it has a purpose. I may just have to try it.