Produce Briefs...
Wasabi
Wasabi is a perennial and a member of the Cruciferae family. It is grown mainly for its underground rhizome (tuber) which produces branch-less, edible leaves above ground. A mature wasabi root is firm, cylindrical, brown and green-skinned and tapered.
Banana Flowers
Exotic banana flowers are the red-orange to deep purple, pointed, compact heads at the tip end of a forming bunch of bananas. Each bud has large outer petals that protect groups of small white flowers
Grower
Preferring warm sunny days, purslane thrives in warm climates, the flowers blooming in early summer.
True purslane is a summer arrival. However there is the winter variety as well. Where the winter variety originated is in doubt as it can be found in almost every country of the world, although many believe that it is one of the few Native American plants to travel to Europe to be adopted there under the name of winter purslane.
Purslane is a red stemmed trailing annual bearing small spatulate-shaped green fleshy leaves. It’s known as a succulent herb that has great crunch and a taste with both citrus and pepper undertones.
The high content of alpha linolenic acid present in purslane, a type of the omega-3 fatty acids, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
This herb is very popular in Mexico, where it may be called verdolagas. It can be added to tortillas and salsas to create extra flavor and texture.
Purslane is a member of the Portulaca family, which has some thirty genera and 300 species, mainly indigenous to the tropics and subtropics. It mostly grows wild which is why it is often viewed as weeds unless intentionally planted. Found along highways, in border gardens, nestled in desert rocks and sand, this sometimes out of control spreading plant can overpower and rule backyards.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purslane. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Purslane using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
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Seasons/Availability
Preferring warm sunny days, purslane thrives in warm climates, the flowers blooming in early summer.
Current Facts
True purslane is a summer arrival. However there is the winter variety as well. Where the winter variety originated is in doubt as it can be found in almost every country of the world, although many believe that it is one of the few Native American plants to travel to Europe to be adopted there under the name of winter purslane.
Description/Taste
Purslane is a red stemmed trailing annual bearing small spatulate-shaped green fleshy leaves. It’s known as a succulent herb that has great crunch and a taste with both citrus and pepper undertones.
Nutritional Value
The high content of alpha linolenic acid present in purslane, a type of the omega-3 fatty acids, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
This herb is very popular in Mexico, where it may be called verdolagas. It can be added to tortillas and salsas to create extra flavor and texture.
Geography/History
Purslane is a member of the Portulaca family, which has some thirty genera and 300 species, mainly indigenous to the tropics and subtropics. It mostly grows wild which is why it is often viewed as weeds unless intentionally planted. Found along highways, in border gardens, nestled in desert rocks and sand, this sometimes out of control spreading plant can overpower and rule backyards.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purslane. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Purslane using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Hillcrest Farmers Market Near San Diego, California, United States About 37 days ago, 5/12/13 Spotter's comments : JR's organics is selling tender purslane. |
