10 Dandelion Recipes Or How I Learned To Love The Weed

With a weed killer ban in some Canadian cities, the spring landscape is flourishing with a thousand species of this herbaceous perennial. Before you mow, pull or dig them out, set aside some of this weed for one of these healthful recipes.

Via homefarmideas.com

Dandelion herbs were believed brought to Canada from Europe in the 1600's. Many

First Nations used the plant for food and medicinally, to treat conditions such as eczema, anemia, jaundice, or as an antiseptic. Young leaves can be eaten

fresh or steamed, and contain high levels of iron, calcium, A & B vitamins and other minerals. (SOURCE: Royal Roads) Select young greens without flowers in the spring, flowers throughout the summer and roots in the fall. Never forage for dandelions by roads or railway tracks or anywhere that has been sprayed by insecticides.

1. Dandelion Pumpkin Seed Pesto

Via thekitchn.com

Try this healthful recipe replaces basil with dandelion greens. Try it with one of your favourite pastas or on even on pizza! Recipe here.

2. Dandelion Jelly

Ava Chin for the New York Times / Via cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com

A little bit labour intensive but delicious on toast or English muffins, this recipe turns 200 dandelion flowers into this sweet preserve. Recipe here.

3. Dandelion and Grapefruit Salad with Tahini Lemon Dressing and Fried Onions

Via yahoo.com

A light lunch or a addition to any summer meal, this colourful and healthy salad is packed with protein and keeps well in the fridge for days. Recipe here.

4. Sauteed Greens with White Beans and Garlic

Via wholefoodsmarket.com

Sub in dandelion greens or blend them with other favourites such as kale or mustard greens in this low fat, vegetarian dish. Recipe here.

5. Lion’s Roar Dandelion Mead

Via meadist.com

Mead is arguably the oldest known fermented beverage and made popular again by the series Game of Thrones. A variation on Honey Mead, this gluten free recipe takes almost a year to age, but before the next snow melts you'll be enjoying this tasty beverage. Recipe here.

6. Dandelion Wine

Via motherearthnews.com

Unlike the mead, you won't have to wait months to try this delicious summer concoction. Recipe here.

7. Dandelion Root Coffee

Via realfoodforlife.com

You made coffee from what? This caffeine free beverage is made from the roots of the dandelion, best foraged for in the fall. Recipe here.

8. Dandelion Flower Cornmeal Pancakes

Via realfoodforlife.com

Try this vegan alternative using dandelion flower syrup. Recipe here for pancakes and here for syrup.

9. Dandelion Flower Fritters

Via wildfoodsandmedicines.com

Fine corn meal can be substituted for flour in this quick and tasty recipe, a variation on southern fried cooking. Recipe here.

10. Dandelion Salve

Via thenerdyfarmwife.com

This isn't an edible recipe, but just as dandelions are healthy for your insides, they also have therapeutic properties on the outside too. This sunny yellow salve works magic on sore muscles, achy & arthritic joints and rough, chapped skin. Recipe here.