The Dandelion is another one of those wild edibles that people either love or hate. I’ve seen old men spend hours, summer after summer, attempting to get every last one out of their manicured yard. I’ve also seen people eat them up like candy, and praise the wonders of the dandelion.
Dandelions are one plant that there is no shortage of, and it’s certainly undervalued and not utilized enough as a food source. As with many other edible wild plants, I prefer to familiarize myself with it ahead of time, and be accustomed to the flavor and uses of it now, so that if I ever need to rely on it as a food source, I'll be all the more ready for such a transition.
Identification should not be an issue for most people. The leaves are serrated, and the flower is yellow and slightly shaggy, resembling a lion’s mane. The seeds are each connected to their own delicate “parachute” which allows them to float through the air and disperse over long distances. The seed ball almost looks like the Epcot Center.
The uses of the Dandelion are perhaps as many as the benefits. The Native Americans (as well as others) used it medicinally, most specifically for liver issues. Many roast the roots to make a coffee substitute and others use the flowers in wine-making. As an edible, it is comparable to a salad green. It also tastes better than lettuce that has fully bolted, so in the hot summer I think it's a better option. The flavor is reminiscent of a salad green as well. Due to the presence of the first four letters of the alphabet, Vitamins A, B, C, & D, as well as other nutrients, it is a healthy addition to salads and tossed vegetables. Just blending it with Iceberg Lettuce would both increase the health benefits of your salad and reduce the cost, since you wouldn’t need as much lettuce.
Just the other day at work I had a nice mixed green snack. Popping up in the landscaping was a delicious blend of edible “weeds”.
Common Yellow Wood Sorrel (1), Dandelion (2), and Purslane (3) were all present. It was a light and healthy midday snack for me, and the homeowners got some free weeding out of me too. FREE SALAD FOR EVERYONE!!!
BONUS
We found this little Garter Snake the other day before the chickens did. We relocated this tiny serpent to a safer location for it, and enjoyed just seeing the tiny guy. Also, that's my daughters hand, not mine, so the snake is just a little guy.
And, just for fun, here's the proof-of-lion.
Here's previous THE EDIBLE OUTDOORS posts:
1-Common Yellow Wood Sorrel
2-Lamb’s Quarters
3-American Gooseberry
4-Stinging Nettle
5-Sassafras
6-Creeping Charlie
Thanks - @papa-pepper