Purslane is currently the new ingredient of the modern, nature-oriented kitchen. And this is hardly surprising as the deep green leafy vegetable has a fine, fresh and tangy taste. Purslane is also rich in vitamins and minerals. Winter purslane in particular is an all-rounder. It tastes perfect as a salad, fried, in soup, as a filling for ravioli or as pesto.

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The herb of the monks

In Italy, the fast-growing plant was once very common as a nutritious and healing vegetable. The juicy green leaves are acidic, slightly salty and particularly rich in vitamin C. This means that it gives excellent protection against scurvy. Perhaps this is why this herb was so popular with monks. The monks went from house to house asking for alms in the Middle Ages. This is the reason why purslane is also known as "erba fratesca" or "erba dei frati" (herb of the monks).

How to use purslane in the kitchen

In the Lazio region, purslane is the main ingredient of misticanza. This is a mixture of wild herbs, oil, salt and lemon juice. The herb's shoots are prepared with celery in Calabria, in Sicily with tomatoes, cucumbers and onions. In Naples, pucchiacchella (the regional name) is mixed with rocket salad and sold at roadsides by travelling gardeners. Purslane is available at well-stocked markets and organic shops.

📖 Recipe

Spaghetti with winter purslane pesto

Winter purslane pesto has a fine, fresh and tangy taste and is also rich in vitamins and minerals

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Total Time 18

Course Main Course, main dish, pasta dish

Cuisine italiana, vegetariana

Servings persone

Calories 432 kcal

Ingredients

380 g spaghetti
50 g purslane
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon pine nuts, alternatively nuts or almonds
1 pinch salt
40 g Parmesan, freshly grated
20 g Pecorino, freshly grated
olive oil, extra virgin

Instructions

Bring water to the boil in a high pot. When the water begins to boil, add the salt and the spaghetti. In the meantime, roast the pine nuts without fat. Crush the purslane in a mortar. As soon as green liquid is released, add the roasted pine nuts, the grated cheese and the crushed garlic clove. The ingredients should then be crushed until a creamy paste is created. Refine the pesto with olive oil and season with salt.
When the pasta is al dente, remove it from the water with spaghetti tongs, add it to the pesto and mix well. The sauce should become creamy with the pasta, add 1-2 tablespoons of cooking water if necessary. Arrange portions on plates, decorate with Pecorino and serve immediately.

Notes

The pesto can be kept in the fridge for several days if it is always covered with enough olive

Nutrition

Calories: 432 kcalCarbohydrates: 72 gProtein: 18 gFat: 7 gSaturated Fat: 3 gCholesterol: 12 mgSodium: 236 mgPotassium: 280 mgFiber: 3 gSugar: 3 gVitamin A: 759 IUVitamin C: 3 mgCalcium: 215 mgIron: 2 mg

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