Dandelions the Forgotten Food

Whenever I hold organic gardening workshops or gave a gardening talk, i like to start by asking the people there, what goes through their mind when they hear the word dandelion.

Their answers tell me much about who I am addressing. In the organic garden workshops, most people, understand that young dandelion greens are great in a spring salad or that the roots, like chicory, make an acceptable coffee substitute. Most people have heard of, if not tried, dandelion wine. dandelions are not only highly useful for salads, wine, tea and or coffee, the flowers make great fritters.

Several years ago when I was in Thunder Bay, Ontario, a small group of us organized a dandelion festival. the City gave us permission to use the park by the Harbour and we, because the City does not spray that site, were able to pick the dandelion right on site and cook them.

People had fun, the event had a 60s flashback feel with guitars and people singing. The fritters wre tasty and we handed out recipes.

We went for a walk around town this morning, the dandelions still thriving, even this late in the season. This is a natural resource that we are neglecting. You do not even have to grow them, just get permission to pick them. People would, most likely be happy to have someone else do this work.

Now you just have to get people to like them and you'd be in business. Dandelionf fritter anyone?