The Problem with Dandelions

The main problem with dandelions is that they have not allowed the breeder or gardner or farmer to beat them into submission. While that sort of behavior is tolerated in herbs, it is frowned upon in the vegetable garden. If dandelions were well-behaved, they might still be a popular food, as they were in the colonial days.

Dandelions are actually a vitamin rich, nutritious food. I've actually eaten dandelion greens. It was at a fairly fancy sandwich and bread shop when I was visiting my aunt and uncle in Florida. Anyway, along with the sandwich came a side of salad greens. The fancy types that don't come in the supermarket packs except for spinach. And you can't miss dandelion leaves. They were pretty good. And that's coming from someone who turns their nose up at lettuce.

The leaves can be served up as salad greens or sauteed. Although, they are best collected while there are still frosts. The leaves get bitter during the summer months. Although boiling them with the flower bud smooths the flavor out. The yellow flower bits can be eaten raw or made into wine. While the root can either be eaten akin to a carrot, or brewed into a coffee like beverage.

Most of us would not bring a weed into our kitchens, but harvesting dandelions would certainly reward the avid gardener for their efforts to remove it from their bed. And maybe, just maybe, its return would not be treated with such dread....