Why and How to Eat Dandelions

This time of year we are seeing beautiful flowers everywhere. Call me crazy, but one of my favorites is yellow, grows almost everywhere, and is edible - did you guess Dandelion? Yep, Dandelions are a favorite of mine. Before you shake your head and go get your Dandelion weed killer, take a moment and read why I love them, why you should eat them (and not kill them) and how you can enjoy eating them.

Did you know that Dandelion plants are very nutritionally exceptional. You can eat the entire plant - all the way from the root up to the beautiful flower, including the stems and leaves. The Dandelion has, in addition to fiber, a good amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Phosphorus, and Calcium. 

What other healthy fresh food is so easily accessible? Just walk out your front door and pick some (this is also an excellent job for kids to do).

Are you putting away that weed killer yet?

Here are a few ideas on how to use those bright, yellow flowers growing everywhere in your yard.

• You can take their roots and roast them to make a tea. 

• I especially like how easy it is to use the leaves and flowers raw in salads or steamed/cooked with a few favorite spices for a nice side dish. 

Yes, they do have a distinct flavor, but so does spinach, chards, etc. Think about all the nutrients jam packed in these lovely flowers, and maybe the taste will grow on you.

Just today, I made a delicious spinach salad of salmon, apples, and dandelion flowers. It was beautiful, tasty, and oh-so-healthy!

First, go outside, feel the sunshine on your face and pick out a handful or two of fresh dandelions. Then, rinse them off in a strainer.

Next, I add them to my cut up apples, salmon, apple cider vinegar, lemon pepper spice blend and extra virgin olive oil. I let this sit for a couple minutes to soak in some good flavor. Then, I throw it all top of a bowl of spinach and call the kids in for lunch! So delicious, refreshing and summery!

Enjoy those dandelions and think of them as a treat!