Fine 'n' Dandy, Lion

'Twas this time last year that I made the shocking discovery that *gasp* the vast majority of growing, leafy things in my lawn which I had spent hard-earned cash to eradicate in previous years were actually edible.  In my area, the most common lawn weeds are dandelion, henbit, chickweed, wood sorrel, shepherd's purse, and possibly lamb's quarters.  My fellow towns-folk all have bright green lawns right now - not because anything is growing yet, but because of the tell-tale dye used by commercially applied herbicides and pre-emergent designed to kill off those darned weeds.

We had stopped paying for those in years past - they are expensive, and we have a kid now.  We don't want him out playing in a yard that reeks of chemicals.  The weeds had, therefore, taken over the yard, making us the lonely eyesore about town.  And then the shocking discovery occurred.

Sure, our grandparents all knew that you can eat dandelions.  But no one ever bothered to inform lil ol me.  But they are very bitter at times, so there are some tricks to making them palatable.  First, catch them young.  If you pick the young leaves (ones that have been hit by a light frost, but are still small and have no flowers on them), they will mostly just taste like typical leafy greens.  If you pick them when they are older, you can saute them, and toss them with an oil (such as olive), and acid (I prefer lemon juice), and some salt (I choose sea salt and some feta cheese).

Dandelion Salad

Voila!  I prefer to eat them raw as much as possible.  The greens are incredibly rich in nutrients.  You can also eat the flowers (raw or cooked).  You can harvest the massive root from the plant, dry it, and make a tea from it.  You can steep the flowers in oils and make an ointment too.  They are actually incredibly helpful.  

I guess what it comes down to is this: I strongly encourage you to do some research.  Henbit, lamb's quarters, wood sorrel, chickweed... all edible. And free.  And healthy. 

Of course, don't eat anything that could have possibly been treated with chemicals; don't eat vegetation that you haven't properly identified; don't eat things growing very near roadways.  

The Gerb's Fresh Salad:

  Ingredients-

    about 1-1/2 c. freshly picked young dandelion leaves

    about 2 tsp EVOO

    1 tsp feta cheese

    1 tbsp homemade kimchi

    a squirt of lemon juice

    a pinch of kosher salt (to taste)

    a handful of pine nuts (or sesame seeds, or chia seeds, or sunflower seeds... whatever you feel like)

    other mixed greens, if available (sorrel, kale, sprouts, mint, oakleaf, whatev.)

Thoroughly wash leaves to remove dirt and foreign objects.  Spin in salad spinner or wrap with cheesecloth and spin it over your head like a helicopter blade (outside, dumbass, so you don't get water all over your kitchen).  Then toss dried leaves with oil and juice.  Add in everything else and combine until you feel satisfied.  Dine.