Exploring Verdolaga (Portulaca oleracea) - Your Nutritional Powerhouse

If you’re planning a trip to the stunning Grutas de Tolantongo, why not fuel your adventure with some verdolaga, also known as purslane? This amazing green veggie is popular across Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. In Spanish, we call it verdolaga, but in English, it's purslane. It’s probably from Iran or India, but it was hanging out in the Americas long before the Europeans arrived.

What’s So Great About Purslane?

Purslane is not just any succulent; it’s an edible powerhouse packed with omega-3 fatty acids, more than any other veggie out there! You can find it in gardens and farmers' markets. It’s common in the Northeastern US, where farmers often see it as a weed but also a valuable crop, especially in Mexican cuisine with dishes like Espinazo de Puerco con Verdolagas (Pork neck with verdolaga).

Growing Verdolaga

In places like Massachusetts, farmers are promoting and harvesting wild purslane for ethnic markets. There are horticultural varieties too, which are easier to harvest because they grow upright. You can grow verdolaga by direct seeding or using transplants. Some farmers disk fields to encourage uniform growth of wild purslane.

Nutritional Benefits

Verdolaga is a fantastic source of Vitamin A, with 100g providing 44% of your daily needs. It’s also rich in Vitamin C, B-complex vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, and pyridoxine, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and manganese.

Spotting the Real Deal

The most common look-alike is prostrate spurge, but it doesn’t look as appealing or juicy as the real deal, although they might grow together. So, keep an eye out!

Cooking with Verdolaga

You can enjoy verdolaga fresh and raw in salads or cook it up. It’s a staple in Mexican cuisine, often paired with salsa verde—a tangy tomatillo sauce.

Sinergia De Las Vitaminas E Y D3 Con Los Omega-3

Delicious Salad Ideas

Raw verdolaga has a crunchy texture and a refreshing, tangy taste. It's perfect in salads! Try it in a Foraged Greens Salad, Purslane and Sweet Corn Salad, or Purslane, Avocado, and Cucumber Salad. It’s also great mixed with garlic and yogurt for a famous Turkish salad.

So, next time you're planning a visit to the breathtaking Grutas de Tolantongo, consider adding some verdolaga to your picnic basket. This nutritional powerhouse will keep you energized for exploring those beautiful caves and hot springs!