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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2015 14:53:40 GMT
They're popping up! I've always been fascinated with the way people use them- jelly, wine, fritters, etc... but have never tried any myself. Every year I say I'm going to but you know- spring happens and I forget til it's too late. So, anyone want to motivate me to put this on a front burner? Any must-try-once suggestions?
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Nette
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Post by Nette on Apr 8, 2015 15:18:52 GMT
I've battered & fried the flowers before. Reminds me of fried squash.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2015 16:05:18 GMT
I like the leaves in salad - but you have to be okay with bitter greens for that to work. I like the idea of frying the blossoms. My Grandfather used to make dandelion wine.
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Post by Skandi on Apr 8, 2015 19:01:07 GMT
I've tried wine three times with them, and it's been vile every time. I don't drink coffee so wouldn't want to try to use the root as a substitute. and I find the leaves too bitter. I've never tried blanching them (with a flowerpot) though. So what I do is cut them off with a garden knife and feed them to the chickens, THEY like them!
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Post by Awnry Abe on Apr 9, 2015 2:49:37 GMT
I've battered & fried the flowers before. Reminds me of fried squash. Great idea. I love the greens. I also like battered and fried anything. zucchini flowers stuffed with goat cheese and battered are amazing. I will give your dandelion idea a shot. And to think we've been sold on the idea of killing them? I think they are wonderful.
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Post by ohiodreamer on Apr 9, 2015 22:11:46 GMT
I made a batch of failed jelly one year (I can can anything....but can't make jelly, lol) Hated the idea of wasting it so we kept it. Popped it open a few months later, kind of tastes like honey! This year I won't harvest them for anything. This year the bees can have them....then I will get some REAL honey in the fall
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2015 22:28:58 GMT
We eat them in our salads from spring through fall, as long as they are out there. I use the root to make tea. They are bitter except for in early spring, but we like them anyway. Once you put the dressing on the salad you can't taste the bitterness. They are so good for you and we have plenty plus share them with our horses and our rabbit. They are good in jelly and syrup and I haven't ever made the wine but hear it is good.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2015 0:12:26 GMT
Thanks! Awesome ideas! It's rained the last two days here so I should be able to pick plenty when the sun comes out tomorrow.
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Post by stickinthemud on Apr 10, 2015 11:37:18 GMT
Unopened dandelion flower buds cook up good-- taste like artichoke.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2015 12:52:31 GMT
Unopened dandelion flower buds cook up good-- taste like artichoke. I met a man at a homesteading get together who canned them like that. I love the flowers so much, that I can't seem to pick them as buds. I should try some though.
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ksfarmer
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North central Kansas.
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Post by ksfarmer on Apr 10, 2015 13:33:04 GMT
.................. This year I won't harvest them for anything. This year the bees can have them....then I will get some REAL honey in the fall Best idea. Dandelions are very important to the bees in early spring. I tell my friends to leave them for the bees,,,,,and besides, I need a little color in my yard.
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Post by Billie on Apr 10, 2015 14:22:04 GMT
I make a dandelion salve with mine. Several weeks ago I burned my finger, extreme pain and blistering within minutes. I came inside put the salve on, wrapped a bandaid around it and left it on overnight. Within an hour the pain was going away and in the morning you could not even tell that I had burned my finger. Works for me!
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Post by katievt on Apr 10, 2015 14:22:48 GMT
I'm planning on growing a lot of fresh feed for my rabbits this spring/summer. I wanted to plant dandelions, but my husband said no! I thought if I used a raised bed and harvested them before they went to seed, I could control the population. The landscaper in him disagrees.
I DID buy plantain, however. It is still being discussed whether I'll be planting that!
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Post by wally on Apr 10, 2015 20:40:03 GMT
Dont know about eating them. I do know it is the only flower my wife can grow. She is really good at it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2015 21:28:58 GMT
I make a dandelion salve with mine. Several weeks ago I burned my finger, extreme pain and blistering within minutes. I came inside put the salve on, wrapped a bandaid around it and left it on overnight. Within an hour the pain was going away and in the morning you could not even tell that I had burned my finger. Works for me! Must share recipe - this sounds like a great one to add to the first aid cabinet!
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Post by speckledpup on Apr 10, 2015 23:37:48 GMT
Sounds like something I need to try
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Post by calliemoonbeam on Apr 11, 2015 4:23:20 GMT
Yes Billie, please share the salve recipe, if you don't mind? It's funny, when I lived in town I had tons of dandelions and clover in my yard, but haven't seen hide nor hair of either one since I moved to the country, lol!
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Post by Billie on Apr 11, 2015 5:50:57 GMT
Dandelion Salve
16oz infused dandelion oil 2oz coconut oil 2oz beeswax/or pellets 10-15 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
Place beeswax and coconut oil in a glass jar or measuring cup. Place jar in a pan of water (2-3") and heat on low/medium.
Once beeswax/coconut oil are melted, carefully stir in infused dandelion oil. If wax starts to harden up just keep heating mix until it melts again. Add in essential oil if you wish.
Remove glass jar from pan and pour into containers of your choice. Allow to cool. If you have any dandelion oil left over you can pour it into an amber colored jar and use it as a massage oil for aches/pains.
To make dandelion infused oil:
Gather flower heads, no stems. Spread out and let dry for a day or two to reduce water content. Place flowers in a glass jar and pack them in fairly tight.. Pour olive oil over to cover flowers. Place lid on.
Slow method to infuse: set jar out of the sunlight for 4-6 weeks. Speedier method to infuse: Heat jar on stove. Place a few inches of water in a pan and heat on medium to just below boiling. Turn heat off and let set until cool. Then place jar out of the sunlight and continue infusing for 2-3 days. Then strain the flowers from the oil. Press flowers down to get as much oil out as possible. Then follow above recipe.
Mine came out fairly hard because I messed up the ratio and got more beeswax and less oil but it still worked. Less beeswax and increased oil will make a softer salve.
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Post by Billie on Apr 11, 2015 6:00:56 GMT
Yes Billie, please share the salve recipe, if you don't mind? It's funny, when I lived in town I had tons of dandelions and clover in my yard, but haven't seen hide nor hair of either one since I moved to the country, lol! I picked an ice cream bucket full today. I am out in the country on 11 acres and my yard is nothing but a sea of yellow!!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2015 6:05:45 GMT
So do you use all of the oil or just what you press out of the heads?
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Post by calliemoonbeam on Apr 11, 2015 6:09:45 GMT
Yes Billie, please share the salve recipe, if you don't mind? It's funny, when I lived in town I had tons of dandelions and clover in my yard, but haven't seen hide nor hair of either one since I moved to the country, lol! I picked an ice cream bucket full today. I am out in the country on 11 acres and my yard is nothing but a sea of yellow!!! Sounds like I should come visit you, lol! I'm on five acres with five and ten acre lots all around me, and there are none. In town on a tiny city lot, I could have made gallons of salve, go figure! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2015 14:06:43 GMT
I also enjoy frying the blossoms. My parents always ate the greens, giving them a quick sauté' and serving with a dressing and some chopped up boiled egg on top. I always found them a bit bitter but it's supposed to be a good Spring tonic, Spring always means fresh watercress and sassafras tea also. Billie, thanks for that salve recipe. I can't wait to try it as we always have plenty of dandelions! When I grew meat rabbits dandelions was always a treat for them.
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Post by speckledpup on Apr 11, 2015 18:15:21 GMT
Thank you for the salve recipe
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Post by speckledpup on Apr 11, 2015 18:16:16 GMT
I have never seen as many dandelions as this year.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2015 18:19:28 GMT
Was just at the grocery store where they are selling them for 2.99 a bunch!
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Post by Billie on Apr 11, 2015 18:37:53 GMT
So do you use all of the oil or just what you press out of the heads? I used all of the 16oz and pressed as much oil out of the heads as I could. It actually gives you a little less than 16oz. The salve recipe calls for 16oz of infused oil. I used a quart jar the first time. This time I am using a half gallon jar so I will be sure and have the correct amount. I hope that explains it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2015 20:01:44 GMT
Sure does! Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2015 1:09:19 GMT
I've never made a salve, have to try that. I've got a ton of dandelions this year, also, but I'm limiting the amount I pick to 1/3 to leave some for the bees (although they mainly show up when the clover flowers do.) I started the tea to make jelly for the first time this evening. I didn't know they were ok for rabbits, either. Mine are going to be thrilled! Can they eat the whole plant, or just the greens...or just the flowers? I learn so much here! Many thanks to all y'all!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2015 14:01:52 GMT
I've never made a salve, have to try that. I've got a ton of dandelions this year, also, but I'm limiting the amount I pick to 1/3 to leave some for the bees (although they mainly show up when the clover flowers do.) I started the tea to make jelly for the first time this evening. I didn't know they were ok for rabbits, either. Mine are going to be thrilled! Can they eat the whole plant, or just the greens...or just the flowers? I learn so much here! Many thanks to all y'all! I fed my rabbits the greens but I don't think the flowers would hurt them any. Have you ever fed your rabbits dried maple leaves in the fall? Mine loved them! Maple is the only kind I've fed them though.
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Post by woodwind77 on Apr 15, 2015 16:38:26 GMT
That salve sounds wonderful, I'll have to try making some when I can gather the ingredients. Thanks for the recipe !
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