Copius
Purslane, drawn for Copius

Purslane

Pourpier

Latin namePortulaca oleracea
FamilyVegetables
OriginIndia & the Middle East
Season (France)June – September
FlavourSour · Fresh · Briny · Green
Typical price (France)8–14 €/kg

What it is

Most of the world pulls it up as a weed; Greece, Turkey and Mexico eat it by the kilo. Its thick leaves are a succulent's water store, and it carries more omega-3 than any other leafy plant that has been measured.

In the kitchen

Eat it raw for the lemony snap. The stems are as good as the leaves — do not strip them out.

Goes with

Cucumber Tomato Feta Olive oil Lemon Yogurt Garlic Mint

In season alongside

Green almond Ice plant Nopal Reflexed stonecrop Rhubarb Samphire

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