Harvesting Purslane for Current and Future Use

Reader Contribution by Celeste Longacre
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Purslane is a weed. It is drought tolerant, heat tolerant and quite prolific. Yet, if you have it in your yard, it is probably the most nutritious thing growing in your garden.

Purslane has seven times more betacarotene than carrots as well as 14 times more omega-3 fatty acids and six times the vitamin E of spinach. Some researchers claim that it actually has more omega-3s than some fish oils. It is also high in iron, magnesium, manganese, potasium, calcium and copper. Traditional Chinese medicine has long used it to help with many gastrointestinal disorders.

I have never planted purlane yet it is growing all over my garden. I let it grow between rows of crops or where vegetables didn’t germinate well. It grows fast so it gives me something to put on my plate well before any carrots or beets are ready. I add it to smoothies, toss it in salads, or steam it for 4 or 5 minutes and serve it with butter and salt. Delicious!

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