ETHNIC HERBS AND GREENS CROP PRODUCTION MANUAL Sakthi Ramu September 2012 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ASIAN INDIAN GREENS AND HERBS .................................................................................................................. 4 Purslane or Verdolaga ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Nightshade ................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Fenugreek ............................................................................................................................................................... 12 Indian Sorrel Spinach............................................................................................................................................ 15 Indian Sorrel (Roselle) .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Malabar Spinach .................................................................................................................................................... 21 Radish Greens ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 Amaranthus spp. .................................................................................................................................................... 29 Amaranthus tristis ................................................................................................................................................. 33 Turmeric “Indian Saffron” ................................................................................................................................... 36 CHINESE GREENS AND HERBS .......................................................................................................................... 42 Shanghai Bok Choy ............................................................................................................................................... 43 Chinese Broccoli .................................................................................................................................................... 47 Chives and Flowers ................................................................................................................................................ 52 Garland Chrysanthemum ..................................................................................................................................... 58 Lycium Leaf ........................................................................................................................................................... 62 Maman/Malabar Spinach ..................................................................................................................................... 66 Potherb Mustard .................................................................................................................................................... 67 Spinach ................................................................................................................................................................... 72 Sugar Pea Tops ...................................................................................................................................................... 73 Yen Choy (Green Amaranth) ............................................................................................................................... 77 MEXICAN GREENS AND HERBS ........................................................................................................................ 78 Amaranth Green .................................................................................................................................................... 79 Chard ...................................................................................................................................................................... 82 Common Lambsquarter ........................................................................................................................................ 87 Epazote ................................................................................................................................................................... 91 Lemon Verbena ...................................................................................................................................................... 95 Lippia ...................................................................................................................................................................... 98 Pápalo ................................................................................................................................................................... 101 Purslane/Verdolaga ............................................................................................................................................. 104 Roselle ................................................................................................................................................................... 105 Vine Vegetables .................................................................................................................................................... 106 2 PUERTO RICAN GREENS AND HERBS ........................................................................................................... 113 Amaranth ............................................................................................................................................................. 114 Corn Salad ............................................................................................................................................................ 115 Culantro ................................................................................................................................................................ 119 Dandelion Greens ................................................................................................................................................ 122 Lambsquarter ...................................................................................................................................................... 126 Lemon Balm ......................................................................................................................................................... 127 Lemon Verbena .................................................................................................................................................... 131 Marjoram ............................................................................................................................................................. 132 Sorrel .................................................................................................................................................................... 137 Purslane ................................................................................................................................................................ 138 Garlic Chives ........................................................................................................................................................ 139 Lettuce .................................................................................................................................................................. 143 Spanish Oregano .................................................................................................................................................. 148 Wild Garlic ........................................................................................................................................................... 151 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................................ 154 3 ASIAN INDIAN GREENS AND HERBS 4 PURSLANE OR VERDOLAGA (Portulaca oleracea) Family: Portulacaceae Common Names: Pusley, Pigweed, Pitwa (Indian: Hindi), Pulicha Keerai (Indian: Tamil) Gongura(Indian: Telugu) INTRODUCTION Purslane also known as Verdolaga, Pigweed, Little Hogweed or Pusley, is an annual succulent. A native of India, it is now found almost all over the world. Although it is considered a weed in the USA, it is eaten as a leafy vegetable in other parts of the world. It is a fast growing plant reaching a height of about 15 – 40 cm. The leaves are succulent, smooth, stalk less, oval shaped measuring about ½ to 2 inches in length, alternate and cluster at stem joints. The stem may be green or reddish in color. It has a deep taproot with several secondary fibrous roots. The flowers are yellow with 5 petals, about 5 mm wide and open for only a few hours on sunny mornings. The seeds are tiny, oval, reddish brown to black color and formed in tiny pods that open when the seeds are ready for harvesting. USES Purslane has a slight sour and salty taste. The stems, leaves and flower buds are edible. Purslane contains more omerga-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable plant. It can be used raw in salads or used in soups and stir fry. It can also be cooked similar to spinach. It is said