Dandelion Greens

You pull them, spray them with herbicide and dig them up. And now we are asking you to eat them? We had a member ask us once if we dug them up while we were weeding the other crops and throw them in the boxes. We told him that believe it or not, we actually buy the seeds and intentionally grow them. He still didn't believe us so we gave him a link to our seed supplier's website.

Growing right in your yard is perhaps the most nutritious greens around. Just one cup of raw chopped dandelion greens is 25 calories and contains 112 percent of the daily recommended value of vitamin A, 32 percent daily value of vitamin C and more calcium than a cup of cottage cheese. Dandelion greens also contain the antioxidant lutein, which is good for keeping your vision healthy.

Mix raw dandelion greens in with your salad. They will add a tangy and slightly bitter flavor. Steam a bunch of dandelion greens in a steamer basket for two minutes or until the greens are tender. Remove them from the heat and let them drain. Add a dash of salt and pepper and sprinkle a little balsamic or apple cider vinegar on the greens

Try them sauteed. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sautee finely chopped onions and garlic in oil for four minutes. Add 2 cups of greens and stir. Keep stirring over heat until greens are wilted. Remove from heat, add salt and pepper and serve. Sauteed greens can be added to pasta or stir fry dishes, too.

We think they are worth the effort to find a method for you to enjoy them. When you do you'll be glad you did, as they are a truly healthy addition to your diet.