Culinary Uses for Dandelions

Although dandelions are seen as a nuisance by many modern lawn gardeners, they have a long history of use by man and were intentionally brought to America by early European settlers as a source of food and herbal medicine. The plant is loaded with potassium, calcium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and B Vitamins. Whether it is the lettuce like leaves, the dark roots or the cheery little dandelion flower, every part of the dandelion plant is edible and loaded with nutrients. Here are are few of most common culinary uses for dandelions.

Raw or Steamed Greens

A salad of fresh dandelion greens is a seriously healthy way to get range of nutritional benefits of the dandelion. Dandelion greens are backed with nutrients and were an important part of the diet of the common man of yesterday, who gorged on the leaves in the early spring to reclaim the minerals and vitamins lost over the poor diet of the winter. Today, most people who eat the greens stick to the first batch of the season before the plant has flowered. After flowering, a milky white latex seeps into the leaves that has a fairly bitter taste. Steaming the greens is one way of making the leaves more palatable, but this does take out some of the nutrients.

Dandelion Roots

Dandelion roots can be steamed, boiled or roasted for a chicory flavored meal that is also very healthy. Dandelion roots have even more Vitamin A than carrots, making dandelion roots helpful in retaining good eye sight. Some people dry and roast the dandelion roots and grind them up for a caffeine-free coffee substitute. Others boil the plant whole a serve them as an entree once cooked tender. They can also be chopped up and added to stews and the like.

Dandelion Flowers

Something of a favorite to many southerners, the yellow flowers of dandelions can be battered and fried for a tasty snack. These aren't the healthiest way to use dandelions, but they provide a colorful vegetable side dish that will add some zest to your plate. Dandelion flowers are also chopped up and added to baked goods for some extra color and texture in muffins and breads. Others add the dandelion flowers to jello dishes for a bright and cheerful way to get a diner's attention.

Sources
http://www.leaflady.org/health_benefits_of_dandelions.htm
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/eating-dandelions.html
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/williamsc44.html
http://hubpages.com/hub/Harvesting-and-Eating-Dandelions