When you think of eating weeds in your yard, you are probably imagining something bitter and tough. Purslane is surprisingly mild and delicious. It is described as slightly lemony and a little salty, although I don't detect the saltiness. It has the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids of any leafy plant and a multitude of other beneficial vitamins and minerals. It also has some medicinal uses. See this Wikipedia article for all of the info. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulaca_oleracea
Some came up in my herb garden so I just let it do its thing. I hope that it continues to reseed itself. I will let some of it go to seed and not harvest it all.
It is used in many cultures around the world in many different ways, from using the seeds for cakes, pickling it, and using it the way you would spinach. I chose a Greek dish that uses tomatoes, garlic, onions, oregano, purslane, and feta cheese.
The quantities would vary depending on how much of the ingredients you have on hand. I sautéed the onions and garlic first, then added the chopped purslane and fresh oregano and tomatoes and simmered it for a few minutes with a lid on it. Then I seasoned it to taste with salt, pepper, and a little sugar to reduce the acidity. Then I turned it out into a baking dish and added the feta cheese.
It is delicious! If you were here, I would sit down with you to eat it with some crusty Italian bread and a glass of wine.
Next time you are out walking or working in your yard, keep your eye out for some delicious purslane.