Everyone in our part of the world knows the cowflower, buttercup or dandelion. It shines strikingly in early summer with its sunny yellow flowers and its leaves, with their coarse teeth, remain memorable. Have you ever thought of eating dandelions?
Is dandelion edible and how to use it?
Dandelions are edible in all parts: the young leaves can be used in salads, juices, pestos or vegetable dishes, while the sweet flowers go well in salads, syrups, jams and jellies. The dried and ground roots serve as a mild coffee substitute.
Eating the leaves – taste and usage ideas
The dandelion leaves are not only food for rabbits etc. They are also he althy and edible for humans. They taste tart and spicy and, depending on their age, have a bitter aftertaste. Admittedly, they don't taste particularly good on their own. But when processed you can conjure up delicious things from them.
It is best if you use the leaves fresh. If you have collected large quantities, you can also dry or even freeze the leaves.
Here are a few ideas for using in the kitchen:
- Wild herb salads (e.g. with groundweed and nettles)
- Juices
- Pestos (with cedar nuts, pine nuts or walnuts + s alt + olive oil)
- Vegetable dishes (e.g. casseroles, spinach and stews)
- Risotto
- as herb quark with potatoes
- Sauces
- Soups
It's better to only eat the young leaves
Something that few people know is that it is better to only eat the young leaves of dandelions. The older leaves taste bitter and are less he althy in large quantities. Among other things, they are rich in oxalic acid. Consumption in excessive quantities often leads to nausea and vomiting.
Eating the flowers – recipe ideas
The sweet-tasting flowers can be used not only as a decoration in fruit salads or on summer cakes and tarts. They are also suitable for salads, syrups, jams and jellies. To make jelly, you can boil the flowers with water, lemon juice, lemon peel, agar agar and xylitol, strain and pour into glasses.
Eating the roots – coffee for self-sufficiency
Even the roots can be eaten and used. It is best to dry and grind them. A mild coffee can then be made from the powder. This used to be a common alternative to regular coffee during wartime.
Tip
By the way, the dandelion with its bitter substances helps with digestive problems. As a preventative measure, you can add it to meat and fatty dishes that are difficult to digest.
