[momofmine]

I am out weeding my strawberry patch this morning and we have SO many dandelions. Can anyone tell me how you use the dandelions and exactly what you do with them (which parts, etc).

I am going to save the leaves for green juicing and salads.
I am going to use the flower heads to make fried dandelions with my kids. (Can I put those in salads too?)

Does anyone dig up and use the root? Do you dry it? How do you do that?

How about the stems of the flower?

Thanks!

 

[mamanOiseau]

I was going to suggest the leaves for salad, but you already knew that. Otherwise, my only idea is... compost ??? Or mulch ??? (this last one might be a very bad idea, I'm not sure !)

 

[JamieCatheryn]

You can dig up the roots, wash them, cut them up, and dry them in the oven at like 200F for an hour or so, then grind them and make something like coffee with it or use in herbal tea blends. Digging up roots has the advantage of lowering your dandelion population for good too.

 

[momofmine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamanOiseau I was going to suggest the leaves for salad, but you already knew that. Otherwise, my only idea is... compost ??? Or mulch ??? (this last one might be a very bad idea, I'm not sure !)

Yeah, I was just wondering how to make good use of them, because it seemed such a waste to compost them. I am trying to learn more about making use of what grows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieCatheryn You can dig up the roots, wash them, cut them up, and dry them in the oven at like 200F for an hour or so, then grind them and make something like coffee with it or use in herbal tea blends. Digging up roots has the advantage of lowering your dandelion population for good too.

Thanks! I've never tried drying any roots before. Thanks for the quick directions! I may try that this time.

 

[belltree]

You can cut the blossoms and make "dandelion honey" :

3 handful Dandelion blossom
1 qt water
4 cups sugar
1/2 lemon juice and peel

Put blossoms in put, add water. Cover with lid and let steep for 2hrs.
Bring to a boil and let sit over night. Strain the blossoms through a sieve the next morning. Add sugar and lemon juice and grated peel to the dandelion juice. Bring to a boil an dkeep stirring on low. Let boil until the liquid turns "stringy", that can take a couple hours. Just like making jam. If you like the consistency fill in glasses, label and eat on bread, in granola, or in tea.