This ‘weed’ from Kerala backyards can make a fresh, crunchy salad

You might be walking past a perfectly good salad ingredient in your own backyard. That unassuming backyard green has a place beyond the sambar pot.

Sambar cheera, a fleshy green that grows easily around homes in Kerala, is usually associated with one thing: sambar. But this underrated leafy vegetable can do much more. Toss its tender leaves into a salad, cook them into a thoran or simply add them to your usual vegetable preparations.

In English, sambar cheera is commonly known as waterleaf. It is also called Ceylon spinach, Surinam purslane and Philippine spinach in different parts of the world. Its scientific name is Talinum triangulare, and it belongs to the Portulacaceae family.

The plant has thick, fleshy leaves and tender stems, both of which can be eaten. And for anyone who enjoys growing vegetables at home, there is another reason to like it: this green doesn't demand much attention.

A leafy green that practically grows itself
Sambar cheera doesn't need elaborate cultivation methods or heavy fertiliser use. It can be grown from stem cuttings or seeds, making it particularly easy to propagate at home.

Depending on growing conditions, the leaves can be harvested within around 2 to 6 weeks after planting.

That means you could have a steady supply of fresh greens growing right outside the kitchen, without having to make a trip to the vegetable shop every time you want some leafy vegetables.

Sambar? Yes. Thoran? Definitely. Salad? Absolutely.

The name might suggest that sambar is its natural destination, but the fleshy leaves are versatile enough for several dishes.

The simplest option is a traditional sambar cheera thoran, with grated coconut, green chillies and a tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves.

But the leaves can also be used in a salad. Their fleshy texture makes them interesting when combined with crisp vegetables, nuts and a tangy dressing.

And that is where this backyard green gets a little fancy.

Sambar cheera salad
Ingredients

1. 2 cups tender sambar cheera leaves and young stems
2. 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
3. 1 small carrot, julienned
4. ½ small onion, thinly sliced
5. 1 small tomato, chopped
6. 2 tbsp roasted peanuts or cashews
7. 1 green chilli, finely chopped
8. 1 tbsp grated coconut

For the dressing:

1. 1 tbsp lemon juice
2. 1 tsp honey
3. 1 tsp coconut oil or olive oil
4. Salt, to taste
5. A pinch of black pepper

Preparation

1. Wash the sambar cheera leaves and tender stems thoroughly and pat them dry.
2. If the stems are thick, remove the tougher portions and use only the tender parts.
3. Add the leaves, stems, cucumber, carrot, onion and tomato to a bowl.
4. Mix lemon juice, honey, oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl to make the dressing.
5. Pour the dressing over the greens and vegetables and toss gently.
6. Finish with roasted peanuts or cashews and grated coconut.
7. Serve immediately for a fresh, crunchy salad.

What is in this backyard green?
Sambar cheera is valued as a nutritious leafy vegetable. It contains vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus and iron, along with naturally occurring antioxidant compounds.

Including nutrient-rich leafy greens as part of a varied diet can help meet the body's requirements for essential vitamins and minerals. The fibre and water content of leafy vegetables can also contribute to a healthy, balanced diet.

The greens are traditionally associated with supporting digestion, and their low calorie content makes them an easy addition to meals for those looking to include more vegetables in their diet.

A little green worth saving
For many households, growing vegetables at home means planting tomatoes, chillies, spinach and other familiar crops. Plants that appear on their own are often the first to be pulled out.

Sambar cheera makes a case for looking twice.

The next time this green pops up in the backyard, don't dismiss it immediately as a weed. If you can correctly identify it and ensure it has grown in a clean, uncontaminated spot, those fleshy leaves could end up as your next thoran, sambar or, with a little dressing and a handful of nuts, a rather fancy salad.