Purslane – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is a purslane?

Purslane is a green, leafy herb that people eat cooked or raw. It’s also known as duckweed, pursley, or fat weed. As part of the Portulaca oleracea family, purslane grows in open meadows, container gardens, on the side of the road, and even on your lawn. Its stems are usually reddish, and it typically has spoon-shaped leaves and flowers that bloom in the sunlight. It’s got a look-alike called spurge, so if you’re foraging, be careful not to mistake it for purslane.

Although it’s typically thought of as a weed, purslane can be a great way to add a few more nutrients into your diet. It works well in salads when it’s fresh, tossed into soups, and lightly sauteed, and served as a side.

Purslane plants are known for their resilience—they grow well even in dry waste soil, and they can hold enough moisture to bloom and ripen seeds for a while after they’ve been uprooted.

Where did purslane originate from?

It’s believed that immigrants from India brought purslane with them to North America, and eventually, it spread into gardens across the country. However, the purslane tree is native to South Africa and grows up to 13ft high.

Today, several varieties of purslane go by so many different names and grow in a range of climates and regions. In Central Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean, purslane is commonly grown as a potherb.

What are the benefits of eating purslane?

Consuming purslane can have a positive impact on your health. For example, 100g of raw purslane has only 16 calories but is packed with 1.3g of protein, 21mg of vitamin C, and 0.1g of fat.

It also has the following nutrients:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B6
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Riboflavin
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Folate
• Copper

Purslane also has plenty of beta-carotene, which helps you maintain healthy skin, vision, and neurological function.

Ready to shop for purslane? No need to go searching for “fresh produce near me” or “purslane near me.” Get fresh produce delivery with Instacart and choose same-day delivery.

How is purslane grown?

Purslane grows year-round as a microgreen and all summer long as a vegetable. It prefers full sunlight, but if you want to encourage flower production, plant it in an area that’s somewhat shaded during the hottest parts of the day. Aim for temperatures above 70°F.

Purslane isn’t picky about soil. In fact, you might’ve even seen it springing up through the cracks in the sidewalk. But if you want the best results, plant purslane in well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Purslane doesn’t really need fertilizer, but if you work a little bit of compost into the soil when planting, it can only help the plants.

And when it comes to watering, try not to overdo it because your plants will die if they get too much water. Watering them consistently and evenly, though, will give you a heartier harvest and leafier plants.

Purslane typically grows to be about 18in when mature.

When is purslane in season?

Purslane is in season all year long. While you might be able to find it at your local grocery store or farmer’s market, these weed-like plants grow all over the place. You might see some growing on the side of the road or in your backyard.

How do you pick purslane at the grocery store?

When shopping for purslane at the grocery store, look for a purslane that’s bright green with smooth leaves. Avoid plants with leaves with holes, tears, or bruises.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for purslane via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for purslane bunches.

How to store purslane

To properly store purslane, put it in a plastic bag in the coldest part of the fridge. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week if there’s no water in the bag. Or, store it in a water jar in the fridge to extend the shelf life further. If you don’t have room in the fridge, you can also store the purslane in a jar at room temperature on the counter or in the pantry. For long-term storage, put purslane in a ziplock bag in the freezer.

Purslane has a pretty short shelf life, but it can last for 7 to 10 days if you store it properly.

How to tell if purslane is bad

You’ll know purslane is bad if you see any brown spots on the leaves. You can also smell it to tell if it’s gone bad. If it smells bad, don’t use it. Another way to tell purslane is bad is if it gets mushy and soft over time.

What can I substitute for purslane?

Don’t have purslane? Substitute it with herbs like watercress, sorrel, mustard greens, or spinach if it’s for a salad or cooked dish. If it’s for a stew or another dish where it’s being used to thicken the food, try okra, file powder, or Malabar spinach.

Other alternatives include:

• Arugula
• Parsley
• Rapini
• Nasturtium leaves

Choosing the best purslane available

Purslane is easy to grow, and you can find it growing on the sidewalk right outside your house if you’re lucky. But if you can’t find any purslane in the wild and want to get some in your fridge sometime soon, Instacart can help. Get fresh produce delivery with Instacart and choose same-day delivery.

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