Water Spinach, known as Ong Choy or Kong Xin Cai, is a semi-aquatic tropical plant that grows 2-3 meters high.  It has long hollow stems and roots and leafy greens.   The hollow stems allow the plant to float in water.  Translated literally, the Mandarin name means “Empty Heart Vegetable,” an homage to the unusual hollowness of the plant.  Although most parts of the plants are edible, the leaves are usually separated from the roots as they require different cooking times.

Because of its hollowness, Water Spinach also has some unusual folklore.  When I was growing up, I remember my dad telling me an intricate love story that culminated in tragedy and tears (as so many love stories do).  I don’t remember all the details, as the last thing an 8-year-old boy wants to do is listen to his father’s stories, but at the end of the tale, the unlucky hero cried tears of a broken heart.  The Empty Heart Vegetable sprung up where his tears fell.  Quite poetic!  I wish I had listened better now.

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