Young Dandelion Leaves in the Lawn
Most North Americans think of Dandelions as weeds, not food. Considering the state of our health, perhaps we should consider the benefits of this common plant.
You see here what virtues this common herb hath, and that is the reason the French and Dutch so often eat them in the spring; and now if you look a little farther, you may see plainly without a pair of spectacles, that foreign physicians are not so selfish as ours are, but more communicative of the virtues of plants to people.
~ Nicholas Culpeper (1616-1654) English herbalist and physician
Dandelions have their uses in soups, wines and coffees but they render their greatest health benefits when served soon after picking in a raw salad. In fact, the more quickly they can be brought to the table, the more nutrients will be present.
This common plant is easily identified by the coarse toothed edges on the leaves which give them the name of ‘lion’s tooth.’ Dandelion greens should ideally be picked in pesticide free lawns in early spring, prior to the blooming of the bright yellow flowers. The younger leaves are less bitter than older ones.
Here are comparisons of the nutritional values of 100gr of Dandelion greens with an equal quantity of other foods, known for their exceptional vitamin and mineral benefits:
Vitamin A: Dandelions ~ 14,000 IU / Carrots ~ 11,000 IU
Potassium: Dandelions ~ 397 mg / Bananas ~ 370 mg
Iron: Dandelions ~ 3.1 mg / Broiled beef ~ 3.9 mg
Calcium: Dandelions ~ 187 mg / Whole cow’s milk ~ 118 mg
Dandelion Greens in a Mixed Salad
If you find Dandelions too bitter to your taste, it may be best to introduce them into your diet in smaller quantities as shown in the salad above, where they are mixed with spinach, orange peppers and feta cheese, and drizzled with olive oil.
Oh I do like pretty food! I’ll have to look for some dandy lions that I know haven’t been sprayed. It’s harder than you’d think in my woodsy spot.
Whhhhhhaaaaaat?!
Are you serious?
So that’s what I’ve been eating in my salads all the time! Grr, they are bitter! I really really hate bitter things >=(
Even though it may have nutritional benefits, I don’t want to eat it, hehe. It just seems weird because I’m eating a weed, a killer of my grass.
If I ever do want some, I’ve got tons in my backyard… I’ve got some gardening to do this summer.
Good luck in finding some unsprayed leaves Gerry. Pesticides aren’t the only problem, especially when you have dogs in the yard.
Ha ha Ahmed! Whether something is a weed or a vegetable is only a matter of perspective. Here’s an old German proverb for you to consider:
Who has never tasted what is bitter, does not know what is sweet.
Thank you both for your comments
i actually like the taste of dandelion. the leaves taste a little like bitter chard. the root is like burdock (i think they’re related). and the flowers are, well, just plain bitter. i knew they were nutritious but didn’t realize they were THAT nutritious. more good info for my dubious friends.
I had no idea dandelions had so much calcium in them. Good health!
I haven’t tried the flowers yet Wind. I’ve read that they’re tasty battered and fried.
The nutritional information was taken from ‘A Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants’ by T. Elias and P. Dykeman. I too was surprised at the calcium content Linda. If they’re eaten with other foods, the bitterness isn’t as noticeable.
No wonder they multiply so fast, – being so full of nutrition they probably need to so as not to become extinct, – just like the ground-elder (Aegopodium podagraria)
I never thought of that Eldrid. It makes sense. The Snowshoe Hares eat a tremendous number of dandelions in my lawn but there always seems to be enough. Though I’ve seen ground-elder locally, none grows in my yard.
I’ve known for years that dandelion leaves are very healthful, but have never knowingly eaten any. Must try sometime. Interesting nutrition facts!
Joan, I’m sure I saw them in the grocery stores when I lived in BC. You shouldn’t have too much of a problem finding some.
Belatedly, what a brilliant post!
Who knew that these ‘weeds’ could be so chockful of vitamins and minerals?!
The next time I see the leaves appearing in my lawn, I’ll make sure to pick them for a salad, *before* I crush them with the lawnmower.
Thank you Reggie. Who knew that Canadians and South Africans could both find so much nutrition in the same weeds?!