Produce Briefs...
Maui Onions
Two characteristics set the Maui onion apart from other yellow onions: the high sugar and high moisture content of its flesh.
Rainbow Swiss Chard
Rainbow chard, also known a 5-color silverbeet, is a tender chard variety with multi-colored stalks of yellow, white, orange pink and red.
Grower
Seasons/Availability
Preferring warm sunny days, purslane thrives in warm climates, the flowers blooming in June and July.
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.
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Seasons/Availability
Preferring warm sunny days, purslane thrives in warm climates, the flowers blooming in June and July.
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.
