Foraging dandelion greens

Now is the perfect time to forage for the perfect greens that commonly grow naturally in your own backyard. Yes, I am referring to dandelion greens. The dandelion plant is known as a common weed, but it is chalk full of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Dandelions are what some people call a lawn nuisance, but I like to think of them as free health food.

These jagged, saw-toothed plants are edible from root to flower, and they are actually known as a superfood.

If you don't have a lawn full of dandelions, they are also available as a tea, supplements, and in some grocery stores, fresh dandelions can be purchased in the produce aisle.

Dandelion greens can be picked, rinsed, and cleaned, then eaten raw or cooked just like any other type of green that you may buy or grow in your home garden.

So why would you want to eat dandelions?

For one thing, dandelions are free food. They grow organically on the lawns of most residential homes, and for another reason, they are a powerhouse of nutrition. Dandelion greens have more nutrients than any other type of green that you'd grow in your home vegetable garden.

The entire dandelion plant is rich in fiber, contains antioxidant beta-carotene, and also contains vitamins A, C, E, and K, along with small traces of B vitamins, plus various minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

You can eat dandelions to treat anemia, constipation, and improve digestive health, among other things.

Dandelion plants are low-toxic. So they are generally safe for most people to eat. However, if you're allergic to ragweed and other plants that are related to ragweed, such as bonesets, daisies, echinacea, chrysanthemums, mugwort, and others, then it's possible that dandelions could cause you to have similar allergic reactions too since they are in the ragweed plant family.

Harvesting dandelions

First, I'd like to note that if you plan to harvest your own dandelion plants, do so in an area that hasn't been sprayed with chemicals. Also avoid foraging dandelions that are near city and state parks, sidewalks, farmer's fields, roadways, and ditches. All these areas have probably been sprayed with some type of chemical.

Use a small spade shovel or a paring knife to dig the dandelions up out of the soil. I used a small hand spade and dug around about an inch of the plant while holding up the dandelion leaves. Dandelion roots aren't massively big, and they're fairly easy to pluck out of the ground, similar to digging up carrots.

Shake the dirt off the roots and cover the hole with the loose dirt to prevent anyone from tripping in the holes.

Using fresh-picked dandelions

Before you do anything with your dandelion plants, make sure you soak them in water for a while, then rinse them well several times. They've been outside in the elements of nature and probably have even been stepped on, etc. So they're going to be extremely dirty.

Dandelion roots can be dehydrated and then ground into tea, and they can also be used as a coffee substitute, but you can also eat the entire root just as you'd eat carrots, radishes, and other root vegetables.

To dehydrate the dandelion roots, wash the roots well. Then place them on your dehydrator trays, leaving space between each piece. Set the dehydrator's temperature to 250 degrees. Dehydrate the roots until they become crispy. This will take several hours.

If you're wanting to dehydrate the roots to make tea and coffee, grind the roots in a blender or food processor for a few minutes. Then place the grounds on parchment-lined paper trays and dehydrate them. You can also wait to grind them until after they're dehydrated. I found that it's easier on my machine to grind them before they're dried.

The leaves, stems, and flowers of dandelions can all be dehydrated, steeped, cooked, or simply eaten raw in salads or by themselves. Happy foraging!

Resources:

Malia Frey, M.A. (2021) Dandelion Greens Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits, Verywell Fit. Available at: https://www.verywellfit.com/dandelion-greens-nutrition-facts-4582373 (Accessed: 06 June 2023).

Link, R. (2022) Dandelion Root vs. Dandelion Greens, Dr. Axe. Available at: https://draxe.com/nutrition/dandelion-root/ (Accessed: 06 June 2023).

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© 2025 Olden Oasis

oldenoasis.blogspot.com

Discovering the Flavor of Marigolds

Discovering the Flavor of Marigolds

What do marigolds taste like?

Have you ever wondered what marigolds taste like? Well, you're in luck because we're about to explore the unique flavor of these vibrant flowers!

The Taste of Marigolds

Marigolds have a slightly citrusy and peppery taste, with hints of tanginess and bitterness. Some people describe the flavor as similar to saffron or tarragon.

Ways to Enjoy Marigolds

Marigolds can be used in a variety of culinary dishes, such as salads, soups, and even desserts. They can also be brewed into tea or used to make a fragrant syrup.

Health Benefits of Marigolds

In addition to their unique flavor, marigolds also offer several health benefits. They are rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties, making them a great addition to your diet.

Final Thoughts

It's important to note that not all marigold varieties are edible, so make sure you're using a variety that is safe for consumption. Also, be sure to wash the petals thoroughly before eating them to remove any dirt or pesticides.

Edible marigolds primarily belong to the genus Calendula, specifically Calendula officinalis, commonly known as pot marigold. In addition, hybrids from the genus Tagetes, such as African marigold (Tagetes erecta) and French marigold (Tagetes patula), are also considered edible.

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© 2024 Olden Oasis

oldenoasis.blogspot.com

Wild edibles to forage

Wild edibles to forage

If you're interested in foraging for free healthy food then today's article might be right up your alley. Every year during spring, summer, and fall, I enjoy going foraging for wild edibles. I believe that there's a better way of living through foraging. For one, it's an enjoyable experience just being outside and for another it's a way to learn about different plants that grow in the wild, and the third reason that I enjoy it so much are the natural health benefits of eating what I find.

First I'd like to stress to you: when foraging, if you aren't familiar with a wild plant leave it alone. There's several that are indeed very poisonous. If you are new to foraging, take someone who's knowledgeable about wild edibles along with you at least for the first couple of times that you go out to forage. 

Never take more from nature than you actually need. Remember that animals in the wild also need these wild edibles to survive.

Wild edibles to forage:

1. Wild plants (burdock (all parts of the plant is edible), clover, dandelions (all parts of the plant is edible), day lilies (flowers and roots are edible), honeysuckle, rose petals, redbud blossoms, wild onions, wild garlic, etc.)

2. Berries and other wild fruit (elderberries (cooked), mulberries, persimmons, passion fruit, etc.)

3. Roots (cattail roots, chickweed, chicory, curly dock, burdock, dandelion roots, day lilies, Jerusalem artichoke, wild carrots; also known as Queen Anne's Lace, etc.)

4. Seeds and nuts (pine nuts, pecans, walnuts, acorns, etc.)

5. Shellfish (clams and mussels)

I like foraging in my own backyard because I am familiar with all my surroundings. I never use any type of chemicals on my land so I know the wild edibles that I pick or dig up are going to be safe to eat once they're washed well. 

You'll be very surprised by just how many different things that are edible in your own yard. In fact, there's numerous cattail plants, day lilies, honeysuckle, wild onions, wild garlic, dandelions, clover, roses, mulberries, pecans, acorns, and pine nuts, etc.