Water spinach

Liseron d’eau

What it is

The United States lists it as a federal noxious weed: growing it or moving it across a state line requires a permit, and Florida growers supply their own market under a compliance agreement. It floats and roots again at every node, which is exactly what makes it cheap in Asia and illegal in a Florida canal.

In the kitchen

Cut the stems away from the leaves and give the stems a forty-second head start in the wok. Thrown in together, the leaves are grey slime before the stems have lost their raw taste.

Goes with

Garlic Chili pepper Fish sauce Fermented shrimp paste (belacan) Toasted sesame oil Lime

Same species

Dangmyeon Sweet potato

Also used with

Fermented bean curd

In season alongside

Celeriac Escarole Amethyst deceiver Bay bolete Bintje potato Broccoli

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