I love this time of year.  I adore walking out into my yard and seeing the flowers sprouting up everywhere.   When I drive down the road, trees all around me are in bloom.  The beautiful light gree of the leaves that are unfurling make me smile.  And yes, even the Dandelions – which are the bane of my mother’s existance make me smile with their cheerful yellow.  But did you know that dandelions have some incredible benefits and can be used in a multitude of ways?

But let’s take a look at some amazing information about them as well as eight recipes that you can use to eat them raw, cook them up, or drink their deliciousness.

Health Benefits of Dandelions

Did you know that one serving of dandelion greens are packed with vitamins?  They have 500% of your daily vitamin K!  It also has 111% of your vitamin A, 32% of your vitamin C, 10% of your calcium, and 9% of your daily iron!

Our livers are amazing organs which helps break down and metabolize fats and cholesterol, store glucose, filter our blood and provides many other benefits.  When we eat dandelions, we are helping detoxify our livers so that we keep them functioning properly.

Dandelions also help our pancreas produce insulin needed to digest glucose.  When our pancreas is functioning properly and producing insulin in the right amounts, we don’t develop diabetes.

Dandelion root is also helpful in preventing Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).  Dandelion root is a diuretic (it helps rid your body of excess water in the form of urine), it also helps fight infections.

Dr. Axe gives even more health benefits of dandelions.

Where to Pick / Where not to Pick Dandelions

Feel free to pick dandelions from your own yard.  If you are on good terms with your neighbors, ask them if you can pick their dandelions, but ask them if they have chemicals put on their lawns.  Never pick dandelions from places that are treated with chemicals, from roadsides, or from around telephone poles.  I’ve even read of a man getting arrested for picking them from Central Park in New York City, so be careful where you pick them from,  If the location doesn’t belong to you, make sure you get permission first.

Ways to Eat or Drink Dandelions

1.)  Dandelion Pumpkin Seed Pesto – Are you looking for a way to spruce up your pasta or mashed potatoes? Are you looking for a flavorful spread to add to your garlic bread or spread on some crackers?  This is a great recipe to experiment with dandelions.

2.) Anelletti Pasta with Sausage and Greens – This recipe calls for greens.  Just substitute dandelion greens for the suggested ones.  This would be a great way to ease into using dandelions.

3.) Dandelion Cookies – What a simple and fun way to introduce your kids to eating dandelions – assuming they haven’t been munching on them already when they were in your yard!

4.)  Dandelion Wine – Of all the recipes this one fascinates me the most.  I’m really hoping that I get to try it out this year!  It would be a lot of fun to be able to make my own wine!

5.) Dandelion Jelly – Being able to stock my pantry with jelly made from flowers in my front yard?  What could be more self-sufficient than that?

6.) Dandelion Green Quesadillas – We used to have quesadillas at least once a week in our house.  This would be a neat way to try some dandelion greens.

7.)  Dandelion Root Coffee – I don’t know about you, but coffee is IMPORTANT – almost life-giving around this house.  It’s become one of my most longed for comfort foods.  What would I do if, God Forbid, something happened and I couldn’t have my coffee?!?  Well, I haven’t tried it yet, so I can’t tell you how comparable it is to real coffee, but it’s sure worth a shot.

8.)  Dandelion Syrup – Want to try dandelions on pancakes?  Well, this is the perfect way to give it a try!

What About You?

Did you ever think there were so many ways to use dandelions in cooking?  Before I started researching this articles, I sure didn’t.  I’m with you all this time.  I’m going to making some of these, experimenting, and posting about them as I have the time and ability.  I’d love to hear your opinions on these recipes!  Please leave some thoughts in the comments.

What I like most about this is that dandelions can be found just about everywhere.  They are so prevalent, that we should never lack for them so we can be able to make these recipes over and over without problems.

Remember as you go out into your yard and pick you some dandelions,

You’ve got this, Mama!

Updated 4/24/23

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