golden purslane, originally uploaded by this is emily.

In Natural History, Pliny the Elder encouraged wearing purslane as an amulet that could expel all evil, but today most people in the US consider purslane a weed. Nevia No of Yuno’s Farm turned me on to it as a salad green last year, and I got hooked on its lemony succulence. Purslane has the most omega-3 fatty acids of any leafy green, and it also features lots of vitamin C, some Bs, carotenoids, calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron.

Tossed with blueberries and hazelnuts, olive oil and lemon juice, it makes a perfect summer salad. (Thanks, Cookshop.)

Purslane grows easily from seed (from Seeds of Change) in a container on a sunny NYC rooftop.

Other recipes I’d like to try soon:

• zucchini flowers made easy
• spicy paneer momos