Miner’s lettuce

Sol Morgan says this hardy annual selfseeds readily at his place and just pops up everywhere when the weather cools down. “As far as I know it was brought to New Zealand by the early Chinese gold miners, hence the name. I had never seen it until I moved to live in Golden Bay, where of course there was an early gold rush!”

The leaves are shaped like a broad spade, and are thick and juicy at the same time, Sol says, and make a wonderful addition to the autumn and winter salad menu. This crop can also be cooked like spinach.