Calorie for calorie, purslane is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet, and it’s probably growing in a crack in a sidewalk near you.
100 grams of purslane has 20 calories, and rich amounts of vitamin E (81% DV) and vitamin C (25% DV). Purslane also contains Vitamin A, Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Vitamin B6, Folate (B9), Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. Purslane is a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acid.
All parts of purslane are edible raw or cooked. The seeds can be eaten raw or used to make a flour.
There is a plant called spurge that looks similar to purslane. DO NOT eat any wild plant until you have properly identified it.