and other sores of the skin.

Dandelions are quite good to eat, as previously mentioned, though the flavor is somewhat of an acquired taste. It is time that dandelions start becoming a little more respected that they are.

Since it is widely considered a weed, it is often sprayed with herbicides. (My definition of "weed" is "ANY plant that grows where you don't want it".) It is best to use dandelions that are in the wild or in areas where you know that they haven't been sprayed. Herbicides can be very harmful to your health.

Here are a couple easy recipes:

Fried blooms

Young blooms without much stem
1 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
hot cooking oil
1 1/2 c. flour
pepper and garlic powder to taste

Pick the blooms, and rinse in cool, lightly salted water. (Salt removes bitterness)
Try to have only the blooms, removing any stems, which can increase bitterness. Dry the blooms by patting with paper towels, then dip each in a batter made of 1 egg, beaten, with 1 cup milk, 1 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and garlic powder, mixing until the batter is sticky but still a little thin. Vary the amount of flour as needed. Put the battered blooms into deep hot fat (375 degrees) and fry until lightly browned. If needed, salt and pepper to taste.

Young dandelion leaves can also be chopped and added to green salads. For milder flavor, cover growing dandelion plants with wood, cardboard, or thick paper, and in a week or two, they will be whitish. These leaves won't be as bitter as green leaves.

The blossoms are sometimes made into a pleasing but potent wine.

The darker and larger leaves have more of the juice or latex, which has bitter properties. However, it is still suitable for eating by boiling as a potherb in salted water, changing the water twice to remove the bitter flavor. Note that this will also remove many of the vitamins and minerals, but dandelions are so full of these that such a dish is still healthier than many commonly consumed vegetables.

Cooked in this way, the leaves can also be added to soups and stews, particularly those containing blander vegetables such as potatoes.

Dandelions are an extremely beneficial vegetable. Not only do they have great medicinal uses, they are so full of vitamins and minerals that they aid with health aspects of bodily functions, when eaten as food. It is hard to even think of other vegetables that are superior to dandelions, in both medicinal and food related health.

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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