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Have you ever eaten a dandelion?
The Healthful Dandelion
Believe it or not the dandelions growing in our lawns are actually very healthy and can be prepared in many delicious recipes.
Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. Its leaves are often used to add flavour to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots can be found in some coffee substitutes and the flowers are used to make certain wines.
The older the leaf (as in the second, third year) the more bitter they will be. Mixed with other vegetables in a salad they are extremely nutritious. Older leaves can be cooked in a mixed vegetables combo when they become milder. Early greens have a better flavor than those gathered later in the season. If you're going to be eating fresh greens it's better to gather them before the flowers appear. Otherwise the greens are apt to be bitter. Very young greens can be added fresh to salads, but they can also be cooked in much the same way as collards or mustard greens.
Before cooking with dandelions I often give them a quick boil, for 3-5 minutes until the spines are tender. It helps to neutralize any bitterness they might have. Simply trim the root end, and toss them into a pot of boiling, salted water. After a few minutes drain them into a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Don’t be shy to pluck the dandelion greens from your backyard.
Here are some dandelion recipes that are full of fiber, vitamins and minerals that are great for you!
Innovative Dandelion Salad
Dressing
Dire
ctions
Combine dandelions, tomatoes, onion, olives and chickpeas in a bowl. In another bowl whisk Hummus lemon juice, olive oil, and salt together.
Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
Preparation 10 minutes
Serves 4-6
Tasty Braised Dandelion Greens
Ingredients
Directions
Sauté onions and garlic until translucent. Add cabbage and cook for 30 minutes until cabbage is soft.
Meanwhile soak dandelion green in a bowl of water, fish them out, and repeat with clean water until you don’t find any dirt on the bottom of the bowl. Clean them thoroughly checking for insect infestation. Actually bugs do not like bitter leaves it is very rare to find insects in dandelion! Steam dandelion green until wilted about 5 minutes.
Add the greens to the pot. Cook them until they’re quite soft. Salt the greens to taste. Use good salt if you have it—I like unrefined sea salt.
Chop a bunch of garlic. How much depends on how much you like garlic.
Stir in the sliced red pepper; allow to cook another 5 minutes. Serve over a bed of rice, pasta or mashed potatoes, or as is.
Preparation 15 minutes
Serves 4-6
Refreshing Spring Vegetables Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
Directions
Mix all salad ingredients and coat with the dressing.
Preparation 15 minutes
Serves 6-8
Savoury Spring Fruit Salad
Ingredients
Orange Sauce
Directions
In a large bowl combine all fruits and coat with orange sauce. Garnish with coconut flakes
Preparation 10 minutes
Serves 6-8