Delicious Dandelions

While dandelions may be the nemesis to the gardener in pursuit of the perfect and unblemished green lawn, for centuries they've been used as edible and medicinal herbs. This hub is going to talk about the edible uses.

First and foremost, the dandelion is a delicious green leaf which can easily be made into a salad. It's low on calories but provides a good source of Vitamins A, C and E, and contains healthy amounts of Magnesium, Folate, dietary fiber and Potassium.

The most important thing to remember when eating dandelion greens is to make sure they are from an organic source. They are easy to grow, but you have to remember to only use fertilizers that are safe for foods intended for human consumption. If you put regular ol' fertilizer on your lawn, don't eat those dandelions!

Dandelions can be eaten raw (salad greens) or cooked with other foods, or even used to make liquers and wine!

A liquer is when a plain alcohol is sweetened and flavored with herbs. In some parts of the world they are also called cordials or aperitifs. Making your own dandelion liqeur is very easy.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 Cups fresh dandelion blossoms (just the tops)

• 1/2 Cup of baker's sugar

• one lemon (I prefer organic Meyer lemons)

• 1 quart quality vodka

• An empty glass jar with a tight-fitting lid - approx 1 qt. size

Making the liquer

1. I like to pick my dandelions fresh for this recipe. Mid-day on a nice sunny day is best as the flowers are open and aren't wet with dew. You'll want large blossoms with healthy, unwilted petals. Pick off any stems, leaves at the bottom of the flowers and shake off any bugs.

2. Take the lemon and cut a strip of the peel. This will add a touch of flavor to the liquer so if you really like lemon, cut a long piece.

3. Put the dandelions, sugar and lemon peel into the glass jar.

4. Fill the jar almost to the top with vodka, leaving just a touch of shaking room.

5. Screw on the lid and shake the jar vigorously.

6. Keep the jar in a dark, cool place for three weeks and give it a good shake daily. After just about a day, the fluid will turn yellow and over time it may even turn darker gold.

7. When the three weeks is up, strain out all the blossoms and lemon peel. I like to pour the mix through a strainer to catch the really big stuff and then again through a coffee filter to catch the tiny bits.

8. Bottle into clean glass bottle that has a tight cork or top.

Your liquer can be served room temperature or slightly chilled. I like to serve it in aperitif glasses.

It doesn't take much to get a dandelion patch going but in case you'd reallly like to grow more of your own, here are a few tips.

1. Pick a sunny spot. Dandelions definitely prefer sun to shade, although partial sun can work too.

2. Use only organic gardening treatments and methods so that you know your dandelions are safe to eat.

3. Don't pick off all the blossoms so that they can re-seed themselves. If you blow the fuzzy crowns yourself they'll seed where you want them and not just all over the yard.

4. Pick off outer leaves to use for salad greens and new ones will form from the center of the plant.