A few weeks ago I watched a fascinating series called The Healing Kitchen, which shared many traditional and ancestral healing herbs and plants. It reminded me about humble little purslane, a “weed” you see everywhere and walk right by (or on.)

Not long after, I was visiting a friend whose front garden bed was filled with volunteer plants. While she and I hiked, her husband picked me a whole baggie of plump, fresh purslane. He likes using it in a Middle East salad called Fattoush.

After my hike I offered to share some of this green gold with a neighbor who politely declined. “Isn’t that what’s always growing in sidewalk cracks?” she asked skeptically.

Indeed it is that very same weed. But here is how I look at it. Humble purslane can grow just about anywhere with no planting, tending, watering or nurturing. So basically it is a mean survivor–and I don’t mind getting a piece of its powerful nutrition. Take a look at all of its nutritional benefits that include cancer prevention, heart and bone health, immune boosting and much more.

Not to mention, it’s 100% free!

While I wasn’t able to make Fattoush, here’s the meal salad I improvised instead: A bed of lettuce topped with fried radish matchsticks, shredded carrots and cabbage, red peppers, chicken, pumpkin seeds and of course, purslane which adds a refreshing, citrusy flavor.

The dressing is simply pesto made with peaches and pistachios, which makes it creamy and thick without a lot of oil.

While the Healing Kitchen series is over, you can still order it and get the recipe book for many remedies, skin care potions and immune and health-boosting foods.