My edible Purslane weed
Some days after I plant my marigolds, I found in the container weeds. But these weeds was special weeds and I plant them in other container to grow without disturb my marigolds. Today I decide to harvest my purslane because the morning I saw the first tiny yellow flowers.
Portulaca oleracea it’s a native common plant here and we know it widely with 2 names. The first name is Antrakla and the second Glistrida. The other names are not so known and are more local. Theophrastus wrote about Purslane in the 4th century BC with the name Andraxni but we use it only as scientific name.
Purslane is a big resource of Omega-3 fatty acids, and has also vitamin C, vitamin B, carotenoids, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. You can cook purslane like spinach or make it salad (boiled or fresh).
We have a funny phrase for purslane. I don’t know how many years we use it, it’s something like tradition here, but I think that associate with the slick boiled purslanes. If someone talks a lot we ask him “if he ate purslane”.
I had no idea what this stuff was. It’s coming up all around the edges of the flower beds in front of the house. I’m really glad to know what it is, now I don’t have to pull it out. Gee, the way I talk, you’d think I’d have already eaten purslane!
I have heard of purslane, but didn’t realize it was related to the portulaca (“moss rose”) flower I love so much!
What does it taste like? And why do they say it makes someone more talkative? Does it have some kind of enervating properties or perhaps it numbs the brain to make incessant talk easier? ; )
@Lzylo the flowers open only for 2-3 hours and are very small as you can see. If you search with Google you can find recipes.
@Greg I can’t describe the taste but if you boil them for salad they are slick. The greek name “glistrida” meaning something like slick.
I don’t know if has enervating properties or something like that.
It’s something like joke because “the tongue slick easy with no stop”.
I love purslane and it grows even in the heat of summer, with very little water. We have it in our salads.
hi… we have those in my country also.. but except for one odd midwife in my village, the rest of us never eat the plant. i can imagine my mom’s horror if she see me eat it..hehehhe
Interesting article!
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
@Mias you can talk with this woman and ask her about purslane. Is she from other village or country?
You know, in some areas in my country people make salad and pies with young nettle. It was so strange for me because all my life as kid I was afraid to touch nettles.
@Liane thank you!
Purslane is an incredible source of Omega 3. Eaten in salads or cooked is OK but also if chickens are allowed to eat it their eggs will be high in Omega 3. Purslane is the major reason for the good health effects of the Greek diet. Greeks traditionally have eaten wild greens and others may also be good sources of Omega 3 and minerals.
Foz