Dandelion Uses
STOP! Don’t kill that Dandelion! Not only are dandelions one of the first foods of spring for our precious honeybees, they are good for you too. Dandelions cleanse the liver and gallbladder, help with kidney function and are a gentle diuretic. Compared to spinach, dandelion greens way ahead of the game. They are a significant source of vitamins A, C, E, K, calcium and iron. And best of all most of the time, they are FREE!
NOTE: If you are allergic to daisies, ragweed, and related plants such as chrysanthemums or marigolds, it is very likely you will be allergic to dandelion too.
All parts of the dandelion are eatable. Dandelion flowers can be used to make wine or jelly, broken up and added to muffins, and they make a beautiful addition to summer salads. Make sure to remove all the little green sepals (which look like tiny green leaves) and stems because they are bitter.
Dandelion Leaves are wonderful eaten raw or used in smoothies. The leaves may also be cooked just as you would greens. However, they are a little bitter for some people’s taste, so when cooking you may wish to mix them in with other greens. Smaller leaves are less bitter and more palatable.
Dandelion Roots should be harvested between late fall and early spring. Make sure you dig them before the plants start to blossom. The roots may be eaten raw, steamed, or even dried, roasted and ground into a coffee substitute.
So the next time you are in your yard, you may want to think twice before running over those dandelions with the mower. You may even want to plant a flowerbed full of them! If harvesting them your self is not for you, there is a wide selection of Dandelion Products on Amazon
!
Have you used dandelions before? Would love to hear your thoughts on them.
stella d. says
LOVE those Dandelions….I use them in both salads and smoothies!
Patricia says
Dip those heads into batter and fry. Taste like mushrooms. Be sure to remove the bitter sepal leaves around the base of the flower first!
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Thanks so much for sharing Patricia! I will have to be sure to give it a try. With all the rain we have been having, dandelions is about the only thing I have growing right now lol.
Imelda says
Being a SouthAfrican, I was taught from a young age, by our domestic helper lady, about harvesting and how to prepare and cook the Dandelion, which many people regarded as a garden weed. Later on my children were also taught the same by my domestic lady.
We were taught that Dandelion should be harvested when the plant is still young, before the stage of going to seed. Carefully washed in cold water, dripped dried and cooked with (2 potatoes, 1 onion, in a 20cm size pot filled to the top) over med heat & 2 cups water, until potatoes are soft. Strained, mashed & seasoned to taste.
This is a traditional African meal that is eaten with cooked kidney beans.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
I had never heard of fixing them like that! Thanks so much Imelda for sharing this traditional meal with us, I will have to give it a try!