I know the dandelion's really a weed. However, since it's been years since we've applied fertilizer or weed killer to the yard, last summer I experimented with 'harvesting' it and other weedy greens and plants. I'm looking forward to continuing the practice this year.
Once I started looking closely around the yard I saw tiny dandelions popping up in several places. I grabbed a shovel and dug some of them out. I also scooped up some day lily shoots that were growing in the wrong place, and a few wild violet shoots. (I could have had handfuls of chickweed, but I don't really enjoy it-it tastes too grassy to me.)
I brought my greens inside and washed them in several changes of water, then chopped them up. I cooked them and added them (along with some other vegetables) to a bowl of rice and beans for lunch. The greens added a nice fresh taste of spring.
Five years ago today: Get A Job!
My father used to HATE dandelions and would pull them up by their roots at every opportunity. I never tried chopping them up and eating them.
ReplyDeleteYou should try it some time. Just make sure the area doesn't have any chemicals on it.
DeleteI bought some dandelions once and cooked them, but found them to be bitter.
ReplyDeleteYes, large dandelion leaves are bitter (similar to mustard greens). The little leaves, though are much milder.
DeleteMmmmmm... sounds yummy.
ReplyDeleteIt was :-)
DeleteAs you may know, California is losing its honey bees. We have been told to leave the dandelion flowers for the bees as they are some of the first food for them. Same thing with milkweed for the monarch butterflies, another species that is disappearing. So, I've not been pulling up many weeds this spring.
ReplyDeleteI would have no problem leaving dandelion blooms, but I imagine anyone who likes a manicured-looking lawn would not be happy.
DeleteLast year we had an initiative in our area to plant milkweed. I looked in a couple of places for it, then the project dropped off my radar. I'll have to look into it again. Thanks for the reminder!
DeleteI remember seeing people harvesting dandelion greens down by the river in Illinois, but just never thought to try it on our own. We did have dandelions in our yard. Isn't it bitter?
ReplyDeleteYes, dandelion greens are more bitter than some types, but I think they're good cooked into something as an ingredient.
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