Purslane in TO?

[hungryabbey]

I'm looking for a vegetable called Purslane. I have heard good things about it (high in omega 3s) and would like to try to cook with it a bit.
Here are some pics and info on it:
http://gourmetfood.suite101.com/artic...

Anyone know where I can get it in the GTA?

[helenhelen]

i have a ton of purslane growing wild in my garden this year, so plucked a bunch and will figure out what to do with it...

[helenhelen]

very tasty if just lightly sauteed in olive oi with garlic!

[terrycar]

Does anyone have photos of it so I can see if it's growing in my garden?

[terrycar]

Oops, missed the pics in the OP-never mind.

[BamiaWruz]

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=78453... here are some more pics. Sometimes the stalks look reddish and sometimes not, and also the leaves are thicker or thinner depending on how much of a certain substance the plant hoards so I think an article said they are more sour in the morning after storing the stuff in their leaves.

[terrycar]

Thanks BW. Nothing like this in the garden so I'll have to keep an eye out around the 'hood.

[BamiaWruz]

Remember they are succulents so the leaves will be thick and puffy, there is another plant that grows between sidewalks with red stems and it is NOT purslane! It has a similar leaf shape but it's not so avoid it.

[lilymex]

It's almost the end of Summer 2011 in Toronto, can anyone tell me where can I buy edible Purslane in TO?

[BamiaWruz]

I've not seen it anywhere in stores to be honest ... however if you consider growing it (maybe for next year) you'll have a steady supply. The last time I had some I was at centennial park in Etobicoke infront of the baseball field near the skii hill and there was TONS I picked it all and washed it well (hopefully that's not too outrageous) but I do love my purslane and it was growing between the dragon snaps like crazy.

[lilymex]

That is not outrageous at all ( I raided a forgotten planter in the Vaughan area three years ago ) and the purslane was yummy (crazy but worth it ) I'll keep you post it if I find it!

[BamiaWruz]

My relatives thought I was nuts, they were worried about things like raccoons and dog pee on the purslane but I double that flower bed was a walking area for them. Always good to soak the greens in a little water and cider vinegar to remove any parasites anyway.

Hehe, good to hear I'm not the only one :)

It just began growing in my garden and I've transplanted the little ones into a large pot and into a spot I remember them growing wild so hopefully they'll continue to grow and reseed in the pot every year. When you see the little pods with black seeds then it means they're spreading seed which is great! Some plants at the garden store are called "purslane" and they have flowers but I noticed the shape of the leaf is a bit pointy at the end, I'm not sure what the difference is taste wise and all but I prefer my good old weeds :)

[Full tummy]

I yanked a behemoth from my sister's garden several days ago. Last year, I had plenty in my own garden. Do recall seeing them last summer at Brickworks, I think.

[BamiaWruz]

Looking back at my garden photos last year the purslane started growing earlier in the summer and had already developed large bushes by early july. This year it's only began sprouting teeny sprouts last week. Maybe it's the weather or something. Though half way across the GTA like I said earlier it was there by early July.

It has a life of it's own ^_^

[Full tummy]

Alright, well maybe I will still get some, but I'm telling you the one I picked on Friday from my sister's yard was gargantuan, bigger than anything I managed to grow. I read online that if you want the plant to regrow, snip it just above the first set of leaves. I had been pulling it out root and all...

[damonster]

Pretty sure I saw some yesterday at the Sorauren Farmers Market, so maybe check some farmers markets in your area.

[lilymex]

I'm happy to report that yesterday I bought 5 huge bunches from a street vendor right at the corner of Dundas and Spadina and I got two extra ones for free $1.00 a bunch. I'm soo happy, I'll be making a mexican stew yummmyyyy!!!

[tdh]

in the cracks in the sidewalk, but also I know that 'Plan B' was selling it at the farmers markets last year, haven't seen it yet this year.

[morty999]

Linda Crago Tree & Twig Heirloom Vegetable Farm grows it and sells it along with many other wonderful and hard to find things. Worth the visit! www.treeandtwig.com

[araden]

It grows in everyone's garden and people think it's a weed - I pick them and put them in a salad with lemon, oil and salt - it's awesome! Other save from gardens - wild grape leaves -- it makes the best grapeleaves (middle eastern)....make sure you don't pick the ones that have grapes!

[BamiaWruz]

My garden is full of it.

I'm pretty sure I've seen it once at an arabic store, try the bigger arabic supermarkets it's called "barbeen" in arabic and used in middle eastern, turkish and greek cuisine.

Hope you find it, OP!

[hungryabbey]

Thanks everyone. I guess it would be easier to grow my own.. but I am concerned about its weedy nature.
I will actively seek it out when I go to farmers markets. For all I know, I could have seen it everywhere and just not known.

[Full tummy]

The one thing I have to say with respect to growing one's own is that, at least in my experience, it will not take over your garden (perhaps this is a problem in warmer zones), and it is very easy to pull out--it does not create a huge underground root network that intertwines with all your other plants' roots. In fact, if you cultivate your garden too much, I find it doesn't do well at all. Not like some of the other "weeds" I've been tackling. It is quite tasty, good in salads and pastas.

[hungryabbey]

Excellent. Perhaps a worthy endeavour then.

[dottynorth]

Actually it's quite an atractive "weed" ... the Portulaca is in the same family. Grows fairly flat on the ground. Good luck

[hungryabbey]

Oh nice! I actually love portulaca! Thanks!

[helenhelen]

speaking of edible weeds, i've got tons of lamb's quarters in my backyard. have never tried it and have read that it is like spinach but tastier, so am gonna try some instead of dumping it in with the yard waste!

[Full tummy]

I ate quite a bit of that last year. I find the texture is a little tougher than spinach. Definitely choose the younger leaves and remove the stalks. Purslane is more crunchy, less fibrous. Both are worth eating, rather than discarding...

[BamiaWruz]

Lamb quarters, that's so interesting!! I know of a few weeds we eat back home but I don't know what they're called or how to identify them, I was a kid back then but wish someday I can find out.

[helenhelen]

clover is another edible weed. no idea how it tastes though!

[BamiaWruz]

The little pink clovers is something I picked up at the farmer's market, there was a recipe for lemonade attached and so I made it.

Check it out if you're interested http://adventuressheart.blogspot.com/...

[helenhelen]

that looks so nice!

[plasticanimal]

Feel free to "harvest" all you want from my back yard!

;-)

[phoenikia]

Harvest Wagon might stock purslane, at least occasionally. Could call them to check.

-----
Harvest Wagon
1103 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W, CA

[Full tummy]

Oh, gosh, in most any yard with sandy soil, hahaha. I have seen it at Dufferin Grove Farmers Market, for sale, too.

-----
Dufferin Cafe
2917 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON M6B3S7, CA