New Zealand Spinach, Tetragonia tetragonioides.

Thanks to Master Gardener Dan Fujiwara, New Zealand Spinach is my new favorite vegetable. It's actually not part of the spinach family, it has a genus all it's own. It has some similarities to spinach, but when Southern California heat pockets strike, this plant goes crazy instead of bolting. Insects don't seem to bother it either, not even snails and slugs. It grows low to the ground creating a living mulch around tomatoes, cucs and squashes. It won't compete for nutrients because it branches out from a single stalk that covers about a 4'x4' area. It can be grown in hanging baskets or in raised beds and looks beautiful cascading over planters. Some say it can be invasive. I've noticed it poping up in places I'd rather it not be...so I simply, pull it up!

New Zealand spinach growing in the garden

I enjoy it best cooked in a sofrito base sauce

Sofrito-Blend tomato, garlic, red pepper & onion, then fried in olive oil until bright red add lots of NS...it will wilt down just like spinach. Add salt and red pepper flakes to taste and serve with crumbled feta and a tortilla. YUM!