Purslane Salad Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Red Wine

by: linzarella

February23,2010

4.4

5 Ratings

  • Serves 2

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

I used to work on a farm, and I spent a lot of time being annoyed at all the weeds. But not purslane -- we always harvested this weed for ourselves and used it for this really refreshing summer salad. We varied it endlessly depending on what else we had on hand. Some especially memorable combinations were delicata squash + sheep's milk ricotta + pumpkin seeds + cucumber OR sliced nectarines + toasted pecans + proscuitto.

Purslane makes a great picnic salad because it's relatively sturdy, and can be dressed beforehand. —linzarella

Test Kitchen Notes

If you have never tried purslane, one taste of linzarella’s Purslane salad will make you an enthusiast. Bright and bold, it is a symphony of flavors and textures – a bowlful of delicious bites. While the purslane and the acids keep the salad tart and crunchy, the melon (I recommend trying cantaloupe) provides a soft, sweet contrast and a shower of salty feta rounds everything out. Cucumber and radishes also add texture, and a secondary layer of sweet and bitter flavors. I love that while you build the salad, you are also building the dressing – sturdy purslane makes this possible without worry of wilting. Make this salad soon, and then make it again, as you will undoubtedly want to.
gingerroot

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1/4 cupred onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 tablespoonred wine vinegar
  • 1 bunchpurslane, chopped, and thick portions of stems removed
  • 2 tablespoonsolive oil
  • 2 tablespoonsplain whole milk yogurt
  • Pinchsalt
  • Pinchpepper
  • 1/2 cupfeta cheese
  • 1/2 cucumber, chopped
  • 3/4 cupmelon, cubed
  • 5 radishes, thinly sliced
Directions
  1. In a small bowl, combine the red onion, red wine vinegar, and lemon juice. Set aside to marinate for at least five minutes.
  2. Put the purslane in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil and yogurt. Using tongs, distribute olive oil and yogurt evenly over the greens. Add salt, pepper, and lemon zest, and stir with tongs. Add red onions, vinegar, and lemon juice, stir with tongs, and add remaining ingredients.

Tags:

  • Salad
  • Greek
  • Red Wine
  • Vegetable
  • Vinegar
  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten-Free
  • Appetizer
  • Lunch
Contest Entries
  • Your Best Picnic Dish
  • Your Best Greens
  • Your Best Lettuce

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Tina Goza

  • gingerroot

  • hardlikearmour

  • mrslarkin

  • linzarella

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12 Reviews

Quinn July 25, 2022

The combination of flavors works well. I liked it not mixed too much, that way come across different hits of flavor. I enjoyed the melon with it, partner wants to try the peach/nectarine version.

Tina G. August 17, 2019

I picked some purslane on my walk this am....going to make the salad. No worries on the contractions issue... 70/yrs young

Christobel December 15, 2017

Hey. I just wanted to let you know that purslane can cause uterine contractions. So pregnant women should not consume it as it may cause a miscarriage.

Josie M. June 25, 2014

Plenty of purslane in my garden, must try this!

carswell July 16, 2013

Sounds like it has a similar flavour profile to sorrel - although a completely different texture.

I'm pretty sure I've got plenty of it trying to get a foothold in my pea gravel.

Ceege March 18, 2013

Hi I am saving this salad recipe and want to try it ASAP. Sounds so good. I have no idea what purslane is and don't expect to be able to find it here in the mid-west supermarkets. (Since it is a weed, perhaps I should check my back yard LOL). What can I use to replace that "green".

linzarella March 18, 2013

Purslane has a very distinctive flavor and texture—lemony and crunchy. This salad would still be good with any other green, like arugula or little gems or spinach, but it won't be the same thing.

gingerroot June 28, 2011

Yum! Just last week I had a purslane-watercress-cilantro salad with wild sockeye salmon at one of my favorite restaurants. I love all the contrasting sour-salty-sweet flavors you have here.

linzarella June 28, 2011

Thanks! That watercress-cilantro combination sounds intriguing. And it hadn't occurred to me to serve fish with purslane, but now that I think about it, the citrusy flavor would be perfect with it, especially something rich and fatty like salmon.

hardlikearmour June 23, 2011

purslane was one of my dad's most hated weeds! If only he'd known it was edible and delicious. Your salad sounds lovely.

bencolorado February 24, 2010

It's not peppery, it's more sour. It tastes like there's lemon squeezed on it, and it has a nice texture with some bite to it. Like a succulent plant.

mrslarkin February 23, 2010

Sounds lovely. Funny...I was just wondering today what purslane is. Is it peppery like arugula or like watercress?

Purslane Salad Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Should purslane be cooked? ›

It can be eaten raw or cooked. When heated, purslane becomes moist and sticky. That makes it a good thickener for soups and stews.

What does a simple salad contain? ›

Easy Green Salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and a quick balsamic vinaigrette. This simple salad recipe is the perfect side dish for any meal.

What are the side effects of purslane? ›

The leaves contain various active ingredients (mainly alkaloids) that are hallucinogenic, and can cause psychosis, stimulation (euphoria), and sedation as well.

What part of purslane do you eat? ›

I eat purslane all through summer, cooked in dishes or raw in salads. The whole plant is edible: flowers, leaves, stalks and seeds. Young leaves and fresh stalks are best when eaten raw. The flavour is sometimes sour and sometimes salty, and the leaves and stems have a juicy texture.

Can you eat too much purslane? ›

One note of caution, however: Because, like spinach or sorrel, purslane contains high amounts of oxalates, you should not eat too much at a time, and people who have kidney stones or other kidney problems should probably avoid it.

Is purslane good for high blood pressure? ›

Purslane is High in Important Minerals

It is a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. High potassium intake has been linked to a lower risk of stroke, and may also reduce the risk of heart disease ( 15 ).

What is the slang toss salad? ›

It is a slang term. To “toss my salad” would mean you're having someone perform anilingus on you. In other words, someone is licking your butthole sexually. Nicki Minaj references the act in her song Anaconda.

What can I put in a salad to make it more interesting? ›

Add spices and flavours such as paprika, chilli flakes, curry powder, harissa or parmesan. Add acidity or sourness with vinegar, lemon juice or pomegranate molasses to transform your salad.

What is Russian salad made of? ›

Chop potatoes and carrot. Peel and chop eggs. Mix potatoes, carrot, eggs, pickles, peas, ham, and dill together in a large bowl. Stir in mayonnaise until salad is evenly coated.

How do you prepare purslane for human consumption? ›

Purslane is a low-growing succulent that seems to grow almost everywhere I have ever lived. It is extremely nutritious and tasty as well. The plant can be eaten raw, just pick some leaves off the plant and stuff them in your mouth. It can also be added to a salad, stew, soup or casserole.

Can you eat purslane leaves raw? ›

Purslane is a green, leafy vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked. It is known scientifically as Portulaca oleracea, and is also called pigweed, little hogweed, fatweed and pusley.

Is purslane better raw or cooked? ›

To prepare purslane cooked, steam or sauté the greens and serve as a side dish or incorporate into a dish as you would wilted spinach or arugula. To get the most out of purslane's nutritional content, it is best to mix it up and eat it both raw and cooked.

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