What Are Dandelion Greens?

One of my favorite stands at the farmers' markets is the one that sells all the little toppings I put on my salads. Alfafa sprouts, corn sprouts, broccoli sprouts, raddish sprouts, watercress, bean sprouts, pumpkin sprouts, mung bean sprouts, wheat sprouts and sunflower sprouts are all there. It's wonderful how raddish sprouts can spice up a salad, or wheat sprouts, cooked, can replace a wheat grain. I am always on the lookout for something new. My latest find is dandelion greens. They're not just a yellow flower that you thought was a weed. They're edible, stems, flower and roots. Here's a little more about dandelion greens and their possible uses.

Dandelion greens are the leaves of the common dandelion plant, which many people think of as a weed. In fact, dandelions are edible and highly nutritious, in addition to be ubiquitous. The leaves are the most frequently eaten section of the plant, and they are edible in both raw and cooked form. The flowers and roots may also be eaten, however, typically cooked to mitigate their more bitter flavor.

Dandelion greens can often be purchased in health food stores or farmers' markets, but they can be more readily harvested wild. In addition to being cheaper, wild harvesting is a great way to learn more about nature and the edible plants in your neighborhood.

The uses of dandelion greens as a food dates back for centuries. First in France, they finally made their way to America. As a general rule, dandelion greens are best when they have just emerged. The longer they are allowed to mature, the more bitter they become. When used raw, dandelion greens may be lightly steamed or sauteed with other vegetables. Light cooking is generally the way to go with dandelion greens.

The flowers can be fried, steamed or used to brew wines. Some people particularly enjoy the flowers pickled as a condiment. The edible roots can be roasted, boiled and stir fried, and they go well with naturally sweet root vegetables like carrots and yams.

People who are hesitant about foraging can harvest dandelion greens in confidence, since the plants are very distinctive and easy to identify. Dandelion greens are rich in iron, calcium and vitamins B,C, and E. This little known vegetable can be easily incorporated into your diet, so next time you're at the farmers' market, get a bag and experiment.