Last week, I wrote about purslane and the benefit of having it in one’s garden. For those of you new to Portulaca oleracea, here are a few easy recipe ideas using purslane.

Remember when harvesting purslane that it is a succulent and the leaves wilt rather quickly after cutting. Try keeping them out of direct sunlight after cutting and get them into the kitchen as soon as possible. Rinse the purslane in cold water and spin dry, use immediately or store in refrigerator to maintain crispness.

Wilting greens is one of my favorite ways to eat gardens greens and potherbs. Here is an easy recipe–just add about 1 to 2 cups of rough chopped purslane leaves and stems to it and cook them along with the rest of the greens–the purslane wilts down quickly. /item/7103/wilted-greens-with-garlic

Also try adding a cup or two of chopped leaves and stems to your summer ratatouille–it cooks down nicely with the squash and eggplant and tomatoes and thickens the pan juices just slightly.

Although I like purslane leaves in a salad of lettuce, tomato, onions, cucumber and maybe some feta, dressed with a simple vinaigrette; perhaps my favorite way to eat purslane raw is in tzatziki–try the recipe below.

Tzatziki with Purslane

This is a national dip of Greece-it is on every table and goes with just about any dish- and there are probably as many variations as there are cooks. If it is being served as a dip, the yogurt needs to be drained as do the cucumbers. If you are making a soup, you do not need to drain the liquid. Some variations use red or white wine vinegar, while others use lemon juice; dill is popular, however occasionally mint is added instead; olive oil is added in some recipes. In Turkey, this is served as a cold soup called Cacik, thinned with a little water or ice cubes. It is common to eat purslane as a salad in the Mediterranean; here we will add this wild weed to our summer soup.

Makes about 3 cups

2 cups Greek yogurt

1 large cucumber, peeled and grated or chopped fine

3 large cloves garlic, pressed or minced

About 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or spearmint, or a combination thereof, optional

2 handfuls purslane leaves

About 1 tablespoon lemon juice or red wine vinegar

Salt and freshly ground pepper

In a bowl combine the yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, dill and/or spearmint, purslane and lemon juice or vinegar. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Combine well and taste for seasoning. Refrigerate for about an hour before serving; will hold in the fridge for about 48 hours.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, Revised and Updated Second Edition: A Natural Approach to Pest Control

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This revised and updated edition of Jessica Walliser’s award-winning Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden offers a valuable and science-backed plan for bringing balance back to the garden. With this indispensable gardening reference—now updated with new research, insights, and voices—learn how to create a healthy, balanced, and diverse garden capable of supporting a hard-working crew of beneficial pest-eating insects and eliminate the need for synthetic chemical pesticides.

Buy at Amazon

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil, 32 oz Ready-to-Use Spray, Multi-Purpose Fungicide, Insecticide and Miticide for Organic Gardening

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTI-PURPOSE BUG KILLER—Bonide Neem Oil is a perfect pest control solution for any garden dealing with mites, flies, mildew, and more. This product is a three-in-one fungicide, miticide, and insecticide. READY TO USE—This product is conveniently ready to use when it arrives. The spray nozzle makes this product easy to deploy and can even be used up to the day of harvest. KILLS ALL STAGES OF INSECTS—Bonide's 3-in-1 Neem Oil is great because it kills the egg, larvae, and adult stages of insects while also preventing the fungal attack of plant tissues. DORMANT SPRAY—In addition to being useful for ridding your garden of insects and other pests, this Neem oil makes a great dormant spray to help protect your plants throughout all seasons. ORGANIC GARDENING—Derived from the Neem seed, our product is great for use on roses, flowers, vegetables, fruits, herbs, indoor houseplants, trees and shrubs. It's approved for organic gardening.

Buy at Amazon

Spearhead Shade Gardening Shovel with Steel-Reinforced Fiberglass Handle

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Reduce Digging Effort - The Spear Head Spade is the first hybrid shovel/spade, guaranteed to make your toughest digging up to 80% easier than regular shovels and spades, even in the toughest soil conditions. Ideal for landscaping and gardening. Multi-Purpose Shovel - Spear Head Spade is a versatile tool that can be used for digging, planting, weeding, cutting, and edging. It is designed to handle tough soil and clay conditions, and can cut through roots and tough vegetation with ease. Innovative Design - Has a unique blade design that makes it more efficient and easier to use than traditional spades. The blade is shaped like a spearhead, with a pointed tip and a curved edge that allows it to penetrate the soil more easily. Ergonomic D-Handle - The large, cushioned D-grip offers comfort and better leverage for gloved and ungloved hands alike, reducing strain on the hands and wrists. Lightweight & Strong - Durable handle is made of special steel-reinforced, pultruded fiberglass to withstand heavy use. 60% stronger than EN-3388 shovel/spade standards, 33% thicker and 25% harder than normal shovels. Sharpened from tip to tail at a 35 degree angle for an effective and durable edge.

Buy at Amazon