Snacking on Dandelions
Saturday August 30, 2008
I find it curious that as my garden winds down, dandelion are popping back up. What makes the dandelion so special it gets 2 seasons of bloom? I’m sure I don’t know. But my philosophy about weeds has always been, if you can beat them, put them to use. So before you mow them down, spray them or actually try and dig all the dandelions out of your lawn, grab a basket and harvest a batch.
Both the flowers and the leaves of dandelions can be put to work. Amy Jeanroy, About’s Guide to Herb Gardens, sautes dandelion greens into a tempting and nutritious side dish. Amy also uses the flowers to make a dandelion infused oil, to soothe her aching muscles, from pulling dandelions. And our Homecooking Guide, Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, sweetens the pot with dandelion honey. Perfect as a breakfast pick-me-up, before going back into the garden to weed again.
Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2008) licensed to About.com, Inc.
Comments
I believe that dandelions were God’s gift to children. Almost all other flowers have limits–grandma or mom or the neighbor lady always cries, “No, no don’t pick those!”
But dandelions can be picked in huge bouquets whenever the chuld wants. For mom or grandma or the pretty substitute teacher. And no one ever cries, “Don’t pick the flowers.”
Did you ever think of that?
Plantain is the same way-everywhere but totally misunderstood
You do have to wonder who decided which plants were valuable and which were weeds. I love poke weed, although it can become a nuisance. But so have my New England asters and I paid a pretty penny for them.
well, well, they may be fun for you but i am allergic to em! So for me its “hammering a screwdriver” in order to remove the root (with very little damage to my yard) or spraying with a homemade killer……….but they are cute.