Discover the Benefits of Purslane: Eat It, Don't Spray It!

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The discussion centers around purslane, a common weed that is gaining recognition for its nutritional benefits, particularly its high omega-3 fatty acid content. Participants share their experiences with purslane, noting its resilience and ability to thrive in poor soil conditions. Some express initial hesitation about consuming it due to potential contamination from lawn chemicals or animal waste, while others highlight its pleasant, crunchy texture and mild flavor, likening it to romaine lettuce. Recipes and ideas for incorporating purslane into salads are sought, with suggestions for other edible weeds like dandelion leaves and Queen Anne's Lace. The conversation also touches on the concept of foraging for wild edibles and the practicality of having a nutritious food source readily available, especially in uncertain times. Overall, there's a mix of curiosity and caution regarding the consumption of this readily available plant.
Q_Goest
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I just read an interesting article suggesting eating purslane in salads. I never heard of it before so I looked it up. Here's a few pictures, see if you recognize it:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

If you're like me, you will readily recognize this stuff. It's a weed I have growing in my yard all over. As hard as I try to kill it by pulling it up and spraying, it always comes back. And not just the occasional sprout either. It's the rabbit of the weed world, prolific and able to grow in any kind of nasty soil. It grows in abundance where my dogs pee and the grass dies. It grows on a rocky hill in my front yard where even dandelions can't grab root. And according to what I've read, it's both delicious and nutritious!
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/homeowners/030726.html

Ok, I'm going home tonight and drop some in my salad. So who else has tried thist stuff and what do you think? Have any good recipies simple enough for an engineer to make?
 
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Hmmm. Never heard of it, but now I'm going to keep my eyes open for it. It's kind of amazing to find out that something that grows anywhere without cultivation is good for you.
 
I'm familiar with purslane, but never considered eating it due to lawn chemicals and the fact that animals pee and poo all over it. But you said you have some growing on a rocky hill that's most likely not contaminated.

Let us know if you like it.
 
Evo said:
I'm familiar with purslane, but never considered eating it due to lawn chemicals and the fact that animals pee and poo all over it. But you said you have some growing on a rocky hill that's most likely not contaminated.

Let us know if you like it.
Evo,

You read my mind.

Q,

Please report back if after consuming it, anything strange happens.

Rhody... :redface:
 
Well, it ain't bad. Tastes a bit like Romain lettuce perhaps. It's a bit crunchy like lettuce and has a similar taste. Not a strong flavor (peppery herb) as I read in http://shine.yahoo.com/event/vitality/the-3-veggies-with-the-least-nutritional-value-2510765/", but then they were comparing it to cucumbers.

I sent an email to family and friends and my dad wrote back that he's been eating it for 10 years now because of its high omega 3 fatty acid content. Who knew...

Other weeds to try that are good in salad include dandelion leaves which is a bit bitter and the roots of Queen Anne’s Lace which tastes a bit like carrots but more chewy.
 
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I've been trying to control this crap for years. Tilling it doesn't work as the root nodules just get spread. I finally used Round Up but I still get some.

Eat it? No way when you can have the good stuff in your garden.
 
dlgoff said:
Eat it? No way when you can have the good stuff in your garden.
I don't have a garden and I'm glad to know there's something to snack on growing everywhere if the coming zombie apocalypse interrupts food supplies.
 
zoobyshoe said:
I don't have a garden and I'm glad to know there's something to snack on growing everywhere if the coming zombie apocalypse interrupts food supplies.

Good point. Now if I can only keep it confined to 25 ft2 area.
 
dlgoff said:
Good point. Now if I can only keep it confined to 25 ft2 area.
Just let the nature nuts know you have "organic purslane", the lealthy natural herb/vegetable, come pick their own for $10 a pint. Talk to Roger the *spiritual* hen for free.
 
  • #10
Evo said:
Just let the nature nuts know you have "organic purslane", the lealthy natural herb/vegetable, come pick their own for $10 a pint. Talk to Roger the *spiritual* hen for free.

I know Roger. Bit of a crank if you ask me.
 
  • #11
TheStatutoryApe said:
I know Roger. Bit of a crank if you ask me.
Hey, that's MY hen!
 
  • #12
In college, the organist in my band was a horticulture major. He was also a fan of Euell Gibbons (remember him?) and loved collecting and eating wild food. He'd bend my ear off about what was good to eat and how to prepare it. We sometimes had "interesting" salads when we'd get together for a meal. Having grown up harvesting young dandelion greens and fiddleheads, I was no stranger to the "wild food" concept, but other friends were not real enthusiastic about eating stuff that we had picked from vacant lots or fields around the campus.
 
  • #13
I have been familiar with purslane (Portulaca oleracea) as a wild edible for some time;
so are cattails (Typha spp.), day lily buds (Hemerocallis fulva), pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus),
lambsquarter (Chenopodium album) and shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris).
Greens have milder flavor when eaten at young stage rather than when mature.
 
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