EatTheWeeds: Episode 62: Dandelions

[@ericweiss6538]

Its amazing the influential ability a mother has on her son. I too have found myself most recently doing those things I was asked to do as a child. My fondest child hood memories are of me making her smile, or, vice versa.

[@FacetsOfTruth]

So true! I had this neighbor kid helping with my back yard work yesterday and I reached down, grabbed a few yellow tops and some greens and popped them in my mouth, chewed them up and swallowed them. He was freaked out. LOL I explained that you can't do that with every plant. But shared what you have taught me. Thanks for all you do Brother.

[@RubberWilbur]

I live in Winter Garden Florida and just heard you on the radio. I can't believe I found you. I've been looking for a resource like this for a long time. I live in an apartment that has large Live Oak Trees. I found out that you can eat the acorns if you leech them. Love this stuff. It makes me feel so secure and positive about the future in case the tractor trailers with packaged food would become disrupted due to some crisis. This makes me feel prepared. Thank you.

[@aokspage]

My dog loves this time of year. She runs around the yard eating all of our dandelions. She really loves them. Been eating them for years.

[@kathleenroberts7972]

My italian grandmother taught me harvest dandelions, italians love bitter greens. We added sweet onions and red wine vinegar olive oil and salt and pepper. I grew up in the north east, but being here in florida i grow them from seed. Just made salad todsy. Added basil and tomatoes to our usual recipe. Thanks for this video.

[@Kirinluke]

Many thanks for this video! There are currently several dandelions on my lawn and now I know how to use them. My mother won't like it, but I'm going to encourage their growth from now on.

[@bruc33ef]

I can't believe how lucky I am to this series. Terrific use of the short video format. Tremendously useful and informative. Unbelievable generosity. Simply fantastic.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Yes. The root is nearly charred then ground up and added to the coffee. Chicory is used the same way, as are persimmon seeds.

[@EatTheWeeds]

True... In fact, the mustard greens are coming up. I was in Tarpon Springs Tuesday and the mustards are already blossoming. They are a couple of weeks behind that here. But, plenty of mustard greens now.

[@TopTributeBands-N-Stuff]

You are a true national treasure. In the 1970s I remember a drug company was paying $50 a Lb for dandelion roots. I wonder what drugs are made from them or perhaps they were just doing research thus the very high amount of money per pound (big bucks for back then).

[@EatTheWeeds]

There are several ways besides waiting for it to grow up, but they are comparative so you have to have some of the imagery inside the head. The dandelion's leaves are deeper indented, and, the ends of the indented lobes point back towards the rosette. The end of the dandelion leaf has an arrow point. Chicory leaves have rounder lobes that point laterally (left and right not back) and the end of the leaf itself is rounded.

[@sirion2022]

Dandelions grow well in Florida on the north side of your house, next to the wall. When it rains, the water that falls off the roof is more concentrated in the ground. Once you establish a dandelion in that spot, it will multiply along the wall. I've had a steady abundant crop of dandelion year around for several years now.

[@sssshhhh101]

LOL "I had to bring home seeds and try to get them to grow in my lawn." I Live in Michigan and I try to keep them out of my lawn. I've always enjoyed eating the yellow heads by dipping them in a thin pancake batter with garlic power added and then fry. Delicious. Thanks for the video.

[@magenagrima-xd7pi]

Yes. They are growing in pots in tropical climate. At 278 mts altitude in partial shades.

[@LeonRFpoa]

My great uncle used to pick greens from the yard. He was from Greece, and he always told me "you wanna live to be old as me? Eat the dandelions." and would show all the kids how to identify it. The salads this man made were legendary.

[@highstakeshero]

Ty Deane for the great synapse ; ) I have a multitude of dandelions in my yard, and now I can make use of them!!

[@arentheusarentheus5063]

I think I said this in another comment but this is one of the best ideas I have ever heard about world hunger teach people about what is out there to eat and then then the ones that know multiply the plant and teach others thanks for making these vids

[@slimsammyone]

I boiled mine yesterday with a little vinegar and it took out almost all of the bitterness. What a treat. They are in full bloom here in Maine. It's early May.

[@burnbluefox]

What a pleasant man. Thank you for all that you do!

[@EndlessChris]

So true. Dandelion is one of the most versatile plants there is.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Our neighbor was one Mr. Gowan. I had bottled the dandelion wine in 16oz coke bottles. And he had three bottles...It was sweet with a hint of bitter taste. And I can clearly remember him saying "that's pretty good" as he poured another glass. I would make it but there just aren't enough dandelions in my area.

[@redcapedjoker]

Dean do bug eating video series next. I'd watch those as well. I have to thank you for making all these videos. I am a huge fan of them.

[@OrganicGarden123]

Great video, thanks! I just tried eating dandelions for the first time this spring, on my front lawn. The flower tastes very mild. The leaf is a bit bitter if eaten on it's own, which is probably why many sites recommend making a salad that is only maybe 1/3 dandelion leaves. Thanks again.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Thanks. I'm in Maitland. If you look around you can find Live Oaks acorns with almost no tannins.

[@GiantPetRat]

Our yard is chock full of dandelion greens, but for most of my life I considered them ot be fit for the guinea pigs, but not for me. They were just too bitter to handle (and I eat a lot of bitter things!). To those like me who can't handle them on their own, eat them with a pinchful of salty nuts (I use sunflower seeds). The saltiness masks the bitterness beautifully. I started off eating the heads, because they're a little sweet.

[@jt659]

Ours in Louisiana look the same. Once I had one grow on my garden bed and it was huge and pretty. Leaves were probably 10 inches long.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Yes, many recipies.... Dandelion wine was the first wine I made... around age 15.... to young to buy but old enough to make...

[@jedediahbc]

I appreciate your info on wild weeds for food I have been collecting dandelions and plantain boiling like turnip greens with a table spoon of veg. oil and about 2 inch piece of bacon for flavoring.

[@GarysBBQSupplies]

When I was about 15 my Dad was taking his pesticide license test., After everyone else had left the room, he was still sitting there. I went in to see what was taking so long. He pointed to a picture on the page and said he couldn't figure out what this plant was.. I had to laugh. It was a dandelion. We have BILLIONS of them here, and yes. They grow like weeds.. lol Thanks for the video,. new subscriber here.

[@IrishmanNH]

The milky juice from the stalk is great for warts. The type of warts that you get on your fingers. I read that in a book when I was little so I tried it and it works.

[@isufan89]

if you ever get tired of the beaches, and rain every day, move to the midwest. dandilions are the most common weed and we like to hunt for asparagus, and morel mushrooms. Morels can go for 40$ a lb but they are easy to find if you know what you're doing. Good luck and happy hunting!

[@peaceinstead]

Thank you for your quick response!!! just roasted some in my toaster oven and ground them up with some coffee beans- good cup of Joe:)

[@EatTheWeeds]

You're welcome, and looking at the time you are up early and I am up late.... The central core of the dandelion leaf is about the opposite of the thistle leaf. The latter you can shave off the "leaf" part and eat the stem. With the dandelion you have to shave off the leaf part and get rid of the stem... and then... the leaves may or may not be palletable.

[@jonathanmoreno3224]

I'm living off of dandelions and pecans ..the dandelions are great and here in ft worth they are plentiful and large.

[@EatTheWeeds]

And luscious too.... here in Florida they are scraggly runts.

[@SHOCKSandSTRUTS]

I've never seen dandelion leaves like that.The ones here in New York are larger with fewer teeth, and are very long. They are a pain in the neck. My backyard is FULL of them from March thru September and even now there are a few stalwarts. They refuse to die no matter WHAT I do, so after watching this, I'm going to make them pay for their room and board...in other words I'll be drinking lots of dandelion tea, and adding the leaves to my salads from now on. Thanks for a very informative tutorial.

[@Unshackledtruth]

I made Dandelion wine with just the flower heads and it came out great.

[@EatTheWeeds]

White latex-looking sap comes from several plants, most of them not edible. The dandelion happens to be one of few that has white sap and is edible, usually cooked.

[@TheLightintheheart]

Hi, I have just discovered your videos & they came to me when I was looking for info on wild food. Thank you very much.

[@littleredmistic]

Dandilions are good fried...eat them in the spring/summer! Just dip in egg or egg substitue , dip in seasoned flour and fry in olive oil.Yummy!

[@CavemanCody]

Where im at, dandelions grow everywhere. if I had it my way we wouldn't cut the lawn, I like plantain, I love burdock root. and I save all the yarrow, oh I love some yarrow tea. calming relaxing and cleansing at that. and I collect chamomile for my neighbor. he used to buy it. not no more

[@earthmothercare13]

you mentioned that the roots are diuretic which they are and many more properties and uses... hepatic: cholagogue, lithotriptic, tonic: nutritive, galactagogue, digestive stimulant: stomachic, aperient, laxative, diuretic, deobstruent: bactericide, fungicide, astringent, hypnotic: sedative fresh tinctures, dried infusions, or fresh juice... use dandelion root as a supreme liver ally... good health to all! ;)

[@NckyRj]

We are eating Dandelions always just before then flowering we collect them and cut the roods wash very carefully I leave a while in the water and change 3 times and the last water I put vinegar for disinfections and main time I boiled water and put the dandelions in it future six minutes is enough for boiling take the dandelions a salad dish you not throw from salad dish the juice Half lemon juice and olive oil a pinch of salt mix together pour on the boiled dandelions Perfect with fish or meat

[@paulpellicci]

ate the flowers raw, greens in salads, breaded and fried, love it all....the wine will knock you on your floor but doesn't have a flavor I would miss....

[@EatTheWeeds]

Yes, you can eat them but the flavor varies. Green parts are usually bitter, even on the blossoms.

[@earthmothercare13]

You are awesome Green Deane... I love your "bringing the seeds home to let grow in your lawn" ! ;) I use to have a large meadow back in Montana and beautiful dandelions grew there but my landlords came over one day n put chemical on them so after that I could not harvest... so sad! :( I just cooked up some leaves today and put hemp oil, olive oil, & apple cider vinegar on them... it helps with the bitter... oh so yummy! ;)

[@TheresaPisani]

If you have problems with your spleen enlarging when you're sick you can drink dandelion tea and your spleen will shrink back to normal. I've been using dandelion this way for years. Also as a diuretic and tonic for the kidneys and as a liver cleanser.

[@playergame06]

i live in canada and i have all kinds of those in my backyard growing up with my grass.

[@Tidnull]

yeah i live there too they are everywhere!

[@EatTheWeeds]

When young, yes. Stems or leaves with purple spots are usually too bitter as are tall plants. Young and tender is always best.

[@CeeCeeArt]

Sap from stem is new to me......Thank you!

[@EatTheWeeds]

Thanks for writing. Enjoy those dandelions!

[@700eyesonly007]

Love your website, thank you very much. Your videos are very helpful!

[@peaceinstead]

thanks been putting the leaves and flowers in my fruit smoothies- will try the roots too:)

[@jgberzerker]

I think it's hilarious that you actually seed your lawn with dandelions. In Minnesota, people go to great lengths and pay a lot of money to rid themselves of those "weeds".

[@EatTheWeeds]

The sap is bitter which is why it is not consumed. In larger amount it could make you feel unwell but I don't think we would call it "poisonous."

[@firebrandsgirl]

I like in Georiga and we have dandelions all over the place. I just first tried to eat it last year.

[@EatTheWeeds]

@ClarkesonTheMarksman Yes, usualy cooked but one can eat it raw (Yellow parts, the green is bitter.)

[@rbvmtr]

thanks for the tip. I planned on using dandelion's next year . I just started using acorns as a coffee substitute and I like it . I am going to try making flour out of it . and also tring to harvest Chicory as well

[@EatTheWeeds]

Studies say that two thirds of the "weeds" listed by governmental agencies are edible. That represents a huge shift in opinion and knowledge from just 70 years ago. How, and why did we go from a nation that valued wild edibles to one that calls them noxious and approves toxic chemicals to eradicate edible plants? Glad you found the dandelions.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Bush tucker is an art form where you live. Ray Mears did a series with the Bush Tucker Man, who I also thinks have some books out. His name is Les Hiddins.

[@gamemeister27]

These are actually considered pests in Minnesota, home owners try with little success to eliminate them from their lawns. In any untended patch of grass, you will see hundreds of the buggers. I am so glad I can do something with these now.

[@gardeneroo7]

hi, just wanted to add, the french coloqial term for dandelion is "PISS THE BED". The white sap causes kidney problems if over used. if used in small amounts its no problem.....as a gardener, we are taught to steer clear of white sap ........as it is used as a marker usually for problems (mainly spurge), which is carcinogenic/toxic. But good video generally !!

[@babyhorsey6]

I really enjoyed the video. You have a very pleasant way about you.

[@EatTheWeeds]

@XxKevisanxX Yep... add time and a little luck. Some folks might add a little lemon juice or tannic acid.

[@EatTheWeeds]

My father loved bitter greens. He's eat unopened blossoms off the plant.

[@MalcolmSmall]

love dandelion greens they grow all over in northern new england. the old times used to make dandelion wine and it was pretty gross

[@EatTheWeeds]

@auggiedoggy You can steam either but the root but it tends to be bitter.

[@finn127]

Dear Mr Dean. please visit norway during summer. We do not try to make dandelions grow on our lawns, ;) it's rather the other way. nive vid! now i know what to test out in the spring!

[@ArkStudioVids]

dandelions are SOOOooo common here in Iowa.. sometimes you can find large patches of grass just covered in them.. but they are less common these days i think compared to when I was a kid..maybe i just don't pay as much attention these days..

[@impalapez]

@LittleLadiesCrafts Right on!!! I just plucked a bunch of puffy seed pods to bring home w/me to have more around my house for me and the bees!!!

[@buckshot752]

Thank you so mush for you informative videos. I there caffine in dandilion root. I have never tried it of Chickory but my Parents and Grandparents drank Chickory in the depression. thanks for you reply.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Exactly!

[@wblmbwblmb3425]

thank you

[@CoryBuckles]

The leaves are apparently much less bitter if you eat them when young, before the blossom forms and opens. At least that's what I've been told.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Yes, dandelion blossom tea. Yellow parts and let it seep like regular tea.

[@mogges1]

You can boil them and change the water 2 times and that will remove the bitterness

[@EatTheWeeds]

The effect is usually attributed to the leaves.

[@ClarinetDan]

Dandoline fritters are pretty good. I haven't tried the leaves or root of the plant yet. Maybe I'll make a salad tomarrow. And coffee.

[@MargaretRosemary]

Thank you kindly. Very informative and enjoyable. We up in Canada have plenty here. Come on up and have all you want. We will gladly share them with you!¡!

[@EatTheWeeds]

Make enough for two... It is amazing that when we "left the farm" we began surrounding our homes with non-edible even poisonous plants and came to disdain the edible ones. I bet there is no such thing as a disliked dandelion in Ethiopia.

[@EatTheWeeds]

I don't see why not though they may be too bitter. I would try a few to see what they tasted like raw and roasted. The only seed reference to them I found was the sprouted seeds can be eaten.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Yes, the non-green part of the blossoms can be eaten raw, but they are much better cooked.

[@fbt2007]

Five stars from me! Thanks Green Deane

[@EatTheWeeds]

It's not so much forgetting as I focus on edibilty rather than herbal application, though I often do mention it on my site.

[@ydnarnosfatsug]

You sir are my new Hero! Between you and trapper Jack im ready for anything. I live in Northern Wisconsin. There are enuff dandilions, pine trees and acorns for most everyone. At least anyone thats interested enuff to research this stuff. Your a wealth of information. Im no longer afraid of the apocolypse. haha

[@EatTheWeeds]

To that I can only say two things... one is thank you and the other is be careful.

[@EatTheWeeds]

I have a wine recipe on my website under dandelion. And yes, that was honey I put into the dandelion blossom tea.

[@nicolewaterhouse1933]

“The only thing that tastes like coffee is coffee... “. Lol. So true! Yet we constantly try to find a suitable substitute... not gonna happen. ☕️

[@snocamo154]

I'll give that a try myself. Always looking for new ways to find edible foods and enjoy them. By the way, your KZbin and web site is putting food on my table. I'm laid off now and the grocery budget has been scaled back a lot. I'm finding green edibles in my yard and around my property in the country here in Mississippi. Next year, I get the ripe elderberries and not the birds. Thank you for posting your wonderful knowledge.

[@TheCaddy84]

Yaaaaaa those are sure some puny Dandelions compared to here in Michigan. Yep ours would eat those while you watch. Ha ha Have a good one and thanks for these cool vids.

[@EatTheWeeds]

It invokes one to dream about possibilities.

[@ahealthnut2]

@FlamebergeDuster Bitter dandelions are surely the norm. Bitter is good. It helps to stimulate bile production.

[@thaiguysabu]

it would seem that in florida(maybe other places as well), young dandelions are the only ones worth eating. once they get a certain size, they're bitter as hell. i picked a whole salad from my front lawn and was so pleased, i picked more, which were the big ones, and i almost threw up from the bitterness. i'm new to all this, but i think dandelions are quite delicious when very young.

[@EatTheWeeds]

The light mesh ones work the best.

[@genmama1955]

Thanks! I'm going to stick to the ones I KNOW are dandelions and leave the false ones alone. Yesterday I found a great patch of miner's lettuce. It sure was good. My friend thought I was crazy when I picked them and ate them. lol

[@EatTheWeeds]

You're welcome... could you restate the question? I don't understand it but I'll try. The flower blossoms can be eaten off the plant or picked and eaten.

[@EatTheWeeds]

@miketonon They have a good amount of vitamin A, potassium and other minerals.

[@JamesCarmichael]

Juice em! Add apple and lemon juice. Best drink ever!

[@sagesherlock732]

you're so awesome!!! thanks for the wisdom!!