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Purslane Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to purslane products
About purslane
Purslane, also called common purslane, little hogweed, pigweed, or pursley, is a succulent with clear sap that can grow up to 16 inches tall. It grows in many parts of the world, and people have been eating it since prehistoric times. Archeologists have found it at ancient sites, and it's a popular medicinal plant. Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, advised people to wear purslane as an amulet to expel evil in his book, Natural History.
Many people call purslane a weed because it grows easily in poor soil, and it often pops up on its own in gardens. It's resistant to drought, and it can grow in many climates at any time of year.
The advanced, convenient Instacart app can help you find your favorite purslane and purslane products and have them brought to your home or workplace in as little as 2 hours! You can also pick up your produce at a store nearby. Choosing your purslane products through Instacart is easy.
How to pick out purslane
Purslane is available from many stores via Instacart all year. It has slightly fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves that sometimes have pink edges and smooth, reddish stems. The flowers only open for a few hours every morning, and purslane usually blooms after rainfall. After blooming, it forms green seed pods filled with small, black seeds that resemble poppy seeds. The leaves are more tender when the plant is young and small, but you can eat bigger purslane plants as well. The flowers, stems, and seeds of purslane are edible as well. This plant's flavor is slightly sour or citrusy, and it tastes more lemony when it's harvested in the morning. You may detect grassy, peppery, or slightly salty notes as well.
The leaves should be slightly flexible and shiny, and you should remove any damaged or diseased areas. You can store raw purslane in your refrigerator's vegetable crisper with a paper towel for a few days. You can freeze cooked purslane for up to a year.
How to prepare purslane
You can eat purslane raw or cooked. It's great in salads or sandwiches, and it has a crunchy texture similar to celery or thick lettuce. People often add it to soups and stews because its sap makes them thicker. You can substitute purslane in recipes that call for spinach, steam it, or stir-fry it. You can also dry it by cooking the leaves in your oven and then use it as an herb later. Fresh or dried purslane makes a great thickener for smoothies. You can also use it to create healthy pesto sauce. Its viscous sap means you won't have to add as much olive oil. People sometimes substitute lightly cooked purslane for pasta.
Purslane Near Me
Buy your favorite Purslane online with Instacart. Order Purslane from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about purslane
Purslane and portulaca are different species, but they're closely related. People sometimes call portucala ornamental purslane, moss rose purslane, rock rose, Mexican rose, or sun rose. The leaves have a more pointed shape than common purslane, and the flowers can be red, orange, oink, or white as well as yellow. People often use it as a decorative plant or houseplant. Most people don't eat it because of its bitter taste.
Some other plants also have purslane in the name. Winter purslane, also called miner's lettuce, isn't a succulent, and the stems are much smaller and more delicate. Like purslane, people often eat the wild plant, which was popular among miners during the Gold Rush. Pink purslane, or Siberian miner's lettuce, has spade-shaped leaves and white or pink flowers. Sea purslane and shoreline purslane grow in saltwater marshes and on sandy beaches. Sea purslane has grayish-green leaves, and shoreline purslane has dark red stems.
Purslane is very healthy, and it's one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. It has vitamin A, vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron, magnesium, manganese, calcium, and potassium. You'll also get B vitamins, copper, phosphorus, and folate or folic acid. Vitamin A is important for good vision, and Vitamin C helps support your immune system. Vitamin E protects cell membranes from damage and keeps your skin and hair healthy.
Purslane is also one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These compounds can lower cholesterol and triglycerides and reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. This plant has melatonin, a hormone that can work as a natural sleep aid as well. People often use the sap to soothe burns or skin irritation.
To make your day less stressful and save valuable time, consider ordering your purslane products through Instacart. An experienced Instacart shopper will choose your produce and then take it to you on the same day! You can shop from anywhere with your smartphone in just a few minutes. That way, you'll be able to enjoy your purchase and focus on relaxing.