Try It Out: Purslane

are pesky. They’re an annoyance, costly and just plain ugly. They pop up in beds, crop fields, driveways and now, they’re popping up at the Coronado Farmers Market.

is known for their vast array of veggies and greens and now they’ve added another new green to the list—purslane. Purslane is a common weed that has -like leaves and tiny edible flowers. It’s so common, in fact, that it can even be found in the farmers market parking lot!

Laura Maciel said that the purslane you’re seeing at the market right now is actually wild; although the farm, as crazy as it may seem, bought seed to actually plant the weed as a crop.

“My dad bent down one day and said, ‘You’ve got verdolagas! (Spanish for purslane)” said Maciel. “I saw him looking at weeds and was like, ‘OK, Dad.”

But Maciel’s dad was right. They had plenty of healthy green purslane in their yard cleverly disguised as weeds.

Purslane, sometimes called pursley, has actually been making headlines lately thanks to Dr. Oz, who says his family eats purslane on a weekly basis and encourages others to do so for its extreme nutritional value. Purslane is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and chock full of calcium and vitamins A, B and C.

The taste of this edible weed is hard to describe. Maciel said it reminds her of sour grass, but chef describes it more euphemistically.

“It’s like a mild spinach,” Gilchriest said.

Are you sold yet?

Purslane can be eaten raw, tossed in salads, or you can treat it like spinach and sauté away.

“People call it an herb, but you cook it like a green,” Maciel said.

After you get past the fact that you’re paying for a weed (it’s only $2 per bunch), buy some purslane and try it out. Throw it in a salad, toss it in a stir-fry, use it in place of parsley, sprinkle it on cooked ravioli. Be creative—it’s what all the new chefs are doing.

“Right now, purslane is something you’d find on shows like Iron Chef or Chopped,” said . “It gives food texture but has a neutral flavor.”

Try It Out

What: Purslane

Why: Its mild and neutral flavor can be used to enhance texture in a dish, and of course, for its numerous health benefits.

When: Now! Maciel Family Farms are selling what they have and they just planted more seed.

How: Use them like chef Billy Gilchriest and chop them up for a salsa verde. Or make a dip out of them with plain greek yogurt and some garlic and chives. You can also sauté them with some olive oil and garlic for a healthy side dish.