Bigfoot's Friend

Let’s talk about Dandelions!

Personally, the first sure sign of springtime for me is when the dandelions start blooming! Once every park, yard, and patch of grass in sight is popping with those bright yellow beauties, I know that spring has sprung!

Dandelions have gotten quite a bad rep in recent years, considering most people spend all year trying to rid their yard of them. They are technically weeds, after all.

However, only some know they are also tasty treats waiting to be enjoyed in your kitchen!

Fun Facts About Dandelions:

• Dandelions are great for inflammation, liver function, and blood pressure!
• Almost the entire dandelion plant is edible– flower, leaves, and roots! I would suggest against eating the stems, however.
• Dandelion leaves and flowers have a bit of a spicy kick when eaten fresh, similar to arugula.
• You can even roast dandelion roots and grind them up as a coffee substitute!
• Dandelions are packed with lots of vitamins and minerals!
• For centuries, in many different cultures across the globe, dandelions have been used to treat digestive problems and even liver diseases!

Now, when you’re picking dandelions for consumption, you want to be cautious about where you are sourcing them. You don’t want to eat the flowers in public parks, along roadways, or where your pets do their “business.”

You want fresh, clean flowers that you know will be free of pesticides and other undesirable natural contaminants. 

The Best Ways to Enjoy Dandelions:

• Using fresh flowers and leaves to make unique salads.
• Sautéing leaves and flowers for delicious cooked greens!
• You can even roast and grind down the roots for coffee and tea substitutes.
• The roots can also be cooked and eaten like any other root vegetable!
• The flowers can be used to make wine (I haven’t tried this, but it sounds great!)
• Cooking down the flowers for sweet syrups and jellies
• The flowers and leaves also make the perfect fresh garnish for any dish!

My Favorite Easy Dandelion Recipe:

Dandelion and Bacon Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

• Fresh (washed) dandelion greens
• Cherry tomatoes
• Red onion
• Bacon crumbles
• Toasted almonds or walnuts
• Bleu cheese crumbles
• Raspberry vinaigrette dressing

Instructions:

1. Cut your red onion and cherry tomatoes to your liking. I prefer halving the tomatoes and thinly slicing the onions.
2. Wash your dandelion leaves well. Dry and add to a bowl with your tomatoes, onions, bacon crumbles, and your favorite raspberry vinaigrette. 
3. Toss the ingredients together, and sprinkle your bleu cheese crumbles and toasted nuts on top to finish! It’s sweet, it’s spicy, it’s fresh, and you’ll love it!

Here are some other great recipes that I found:

Dandelion Pesto

Fried Dandelions

Sauteed Dandelion Greens With Eggs

So now you know – dandelions are more than just a nuisance in your backyard. They can also be a delicious addition to your summer diet! So next time you spot some sunny blooms in your yard, don’t be afraid to pick some to give it a try!

If you are already a lover of dandelions, I would love to hear in the comments about your favorite ways to use dandelions!

Want to learn more about foraging? Check out The Benefits Of Foraging Food!

Or if you’re looking for the best foraging tools, I’ve got a great list here: 7 Essential Items For Successful Foraging In 2024

Thanks for reading, and happy foraging!

-Jessica C.