I researched a little online and saw the young, small leaves are generally less bitter, so that's what we picked. We got about half a colander full before we all lost interest.
I popped 'em in some salted boiling water for about 8 minutes while frying some bacon. Then I drained the dandelion greens and transferred them to the pan with the bacon grease, along with some minced garlic. Snipped in a few chives from the garden, sauteed it all for a few minutes, then topped it with crumbled bacon.
My overall assessment: kind of bitter, but certainly edible. And kind of fun that it's just a weed growing in the yard!
I do have to say, though, that I'm more excited for the wild blackberries we have growing in a brambly mess in the backyard. Foraging those blackberries are worth braving the thorns!
Anything worth foraging in your backyard?
9 comments:
There are lots of rabbits in my yard :) J/k!
Bacon makes everything better. It's the key to Husband's awesome quesadillas.
Fun post! I agree that bacon makes everything better! My grandfather used to pick dandalion greens and put them in salad but they were way too bitter for me as a kid.
We have rhubarb and a pear tree. We haven't gotten fruit from the tree for the last few years but I am hoping for this year!
Happy foraging,
Dana
Oh ya. BACON!!! Yummy. Although, I'm not so sure about those dandelions...Did the boys try it?
We have blackberries too. So excited for them to pop out. I totally missed it last year and the birds got to them first.
LOL! And like LauraC, we have a bunny too...but the kids would disown me if I did anything to it ;)
The titles of your blog posts crack me up! And, yes, that is WILD! I always said you're wild and crazy .... and eating dandelion weeds is certainy crazy. (If only that was the craziest thing ...)
have you ever tried ramps? you can find them growing in the woods now and they are SOOOOO yummy! i like them roasted or grilled in some olive oil and a touch of salt.
oh, and let us not forget about fiddleheads ;).
I have heard that eating bitter greens in the early spring is a good way to cleanse after winter.
OMG! I love this idea!! The girls would totally be into picking dandelions and (sort of ) eating them. Plus Bacon!! Everything is good with bacon...
The only other thing we've ever foraged is the sea pickles(?) up at Cape Cod. They grow on the marshes and they're kind of crunchy and salty. Oh and I have eaten the bottom of young cat-tails. Like cucumbers!
Oh, and mulberries too!
We have wild scallions...
Post a Comment