THE EDIBLE OUTDOORS #7 - Dandelion
The Dandelion is another one of those wild edibles that people either love or hate. I’ve seen old men spend hours, summer after summer, attempting to get every last one out of their manicured yard. I’ve also seen people eat them up like candy, and praise the wonders of the dandelion.
Dandelions are one plant that there is no shortage of, and it’s certainly undervalued and not utilized enough as a food source. As with many other edible wild plants, I prefer to familiarize myself with it ahead of time, and be accustomed to the flavor and uses of it now, so that if I ever need to rely on it as a food source, I'll be all the more ready for such a transition.
Identification should not be an issue for most people. The leaves are serrated, and the flower is yellow and slightly shaggy, resembling a lion’s mane. The seeds are each connected to their own delicate “parachute” which allows them to float through the air and disperse over long distances. The seed ball almost looks like the Epcot Center.
The uses of the Dandelion are perhaps as many as the benefits. The Native Americans (as well as others) used it medicinally, most specifically for liver issues. Many roast the roots to make a coffee substitute and others use the flowers in wine-making. As an edible, it is comparable to a salad green. It also tastes better than lettuce that has fully bolted, so in the hot summer I think it's a better option. The flavor is reminiscent of a salad green as well. Due to the presence of the first four letters of the alphabet, Vitamins A, B, C, & D, as well as other nutrients, it is a healthy addition to salads and tossed vegetables. Just blending it with Iceberg Lettuce would both increase the health benefits of your salad and reduce the cost, since you wouldn’t need as much lettuce.
Just the other day at work I had a nice mixed green snack. Popping up in the landscaping was a delicious blend of edible “weeds”.
Common Yellow Wood Sorrel (1), Dandelion (2), and Purslane (3) were all present. It was a light and healthy midday snack for me, and the homeowners got some free weeding out of me too. FREE SALAD FOR EVERYONE!!!
BONUS
We found this little Garter Snake the other day before the chickens did. We relocated this tiny serpent to a safer location for it, and enjoyed just seeing the tiny guy. Also, that's my daughters hand, not mine, so the snake is just a little guy.
And, just for fun, here's the proof-of-lion.
Here's previous THE EDIBLE OUTDOORS posts:
1-Common Yellow Wood Sorrel
2-Lamb’s Quarters
3-American Gooseberry
4-Stinging Nettle
5-Sassafras
6-Creeping Charlie
Thanks - @papa-pepper
I have frequently harvested dandelions as food for both people and pets for years. Some people really like it. Others find it terribly bitter. In my experience that's because it grows under different circumstances. Dandelions growing in moist ground tend to be sweeter than those surviving in parched ground. Those growing in shade tend to be tender and sweet compared to those growing in full sun. Dandelions growing in full sun can be quite palatable provided ground moisture is sufficient. As an example dandelions in local lawns become bitter rather early but tall plants growing in our shady local woods never become bitter. If dandelions do become bitter they can be boiled as greens with multiple changes of water or you can simply go pick some large sweet ones whose leaves are delicious plain on a sandwich.
Good info, thanks! I ate some in my opened face omelette for breakfast.
WARNING The plant that I ate with the Wood Sorrel and Dandelion was actually a poisonous lookalike to Purslane known as "SPURGE". I'm fine, but technically it is poisonous. Here is what real Purslane looks like :
A post about it is available HERE
Live and learn. My apologies for my mistake. - @papa-pepper
I've seen recipes for dandelion wine, just don't think I have the patients to go out and pick enough flowers to make a decent sized batch. Thoughts on purslane, I see little purslane pots for sale at the garden centers and I wonder if i'm in the wrong business...I have about $1000 dollars worth growin as weeds right now! LOL
When I lived in Phoenix purslane would pop up periodically in the produce market from time to time, even in chain stores. It is funny but you may be right. =O
Is that a possible side-job? Meet @jed78 , a Hydroponic Tomato Grower by day, and Purslane Dealer by night. Purslane is on my to do list, probably right between Plantain and Elderberry. We'll see.
I stay pretty busy during the day, so Looks like you have to be the nocturnal purslane dealer LOL